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Released By: Lionsgate
Released On: February 17, 2015.
Director: Tommy Lee Jones
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer
Year: 2014
The Film:
Tommy Lee Jones returns to the Director's chair for The Homesman, a strange mid-western tale of madness set in the 18th century. Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilary Swank) is a simple woman living on the plains of Nebraska; she's got a barn, some livestock, a quaint little house, a couple of claims, and money in the bank enough to buy canned peaches, quite the luxury at the time. If it weren't for the fact that she couldn't snag a husband, and that she's only able to practice her beloved music in the form of a scale model keyboard print knitted onto a roll-out towel, life would probably be perfect. But, despite the fact that she'd be one heck of a financial catch for an eligible bachelor, Mary is, in the words of one young man, "Bossy, and far too plain".
Things could be worse, though. For example, three of the women in the area have just lost their minds and gone plum crazy, having been dealt a pretty uneven hand in life. One has witnessed the death of her mother, and the subsequent tossing of the corpse into the winter's snow by her uncaring husband; one has lost not one, not two, but three children to disease; and another one has had enough of children altogether, pitching her baby down the ladies side of the outhouse. When the town minister (John Lithgow) finds a new home for the ladies back in Iowa, Mary Bee draws the rock that selects her as the lucky chaperone. Five weeks ride with the changing of the seasons isn't an easy task as it is, but it'll be a little harder with a locked wagon full of three mentally distraught women.
As luck would have it, Mary happens upon George Briggs, a claim jumper who is in the process of being hung, and cuts him down in exchange for his company and assistance for the long journey. George knows a thing or two about surviving in the world, like how to rob an Indian corpse of its buffalo fur wrapping, and how to give away Mary's horse to stop them from being raped and scalped. As the two make the trek across the plains to their destination, Mary finds enough of a sense of comfort with Briggs to perform a humbling act of desperation, and the outcome has consequences not only for them, but also for their three passengers.
The Homesman is a great-looking film, to be sure. The costumes are wonderful, the settings look authentic. Every frame of film paints a harsh picture of life as a pioneer, and the trying times experienced by the people attempting to forge a new path for themselves. Based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout, it's also a complex story; and depending on the interpretation, has the capability of being both incredibly deep or incredibly boring. At times, one wonders what the purpose of the many events is supposed to be; is this a comparison between Mary Bee and the three passengers, a contrast between Mary Bee and George Briggs, or a look at the haves and have-nots in the 19th century? Is it a comment on spirituality, and the pitfalls that come with a life of faith, or a comment on spirituality and the pifalls that come with a lack of faith? Or is it just a whole lot of ideas that are never fleshed out or refined enough to make a good picture?
Despite some amazing performances from the likes of Meryl Streep, James Spader, John Lithgow, and Swank and Jones, I'm inclined to agree with the latter. Despite the effectiveness of the landscapes, costumes, and performances, The Homesman is uninspiring and dull for most of its running time, fraught with the knowledge that the more interesting parts of the story are really going nowhere. By the time it hits its ending, going out on both a high and a low note, I felt that I had witnessed a story significant to the lives of the characters, but wondered why it was being told. Interpretation being what it is, though, your results may vary.
Video/Audio/Extras:
The Homesman comes to blu-ray in a 2.35:1 transfer that looks wonderful. Every aspect of the aformentioned scenery is captured clearly, with striking detail aplenty. Black levels are good, and there are no issues visible with the transfer. The DTS_HD Master Audio 5.1 track is also excellent, tastefully utilizing the surrounds and accentuation the minimalist score contained. Dialogue is clear and concise and balanced nicely. Again, no issues to speak of.
Lionsgate has included a few extras, most notably a "Making Of" feature. Split into three sections, "Origins" (21:25), "Shooting The Film" (27:18), and "Beyond The Western" (11:45) tell the story of creative processes behind The Homesman, from the inception to the adaptation of the screenplay, into the locations used and why it defies the Western Genre. Utilizing a huge number of on-set footage as well as interviews with cast and crew, this is a must-watch for anyone even remotely interested in the film...after you've watched the film, of course.
An Also From Lionsgate Promo Reel is also included, if you didn't have enough of trying to skip through them before the feature menu popped up.
The Final Word:
While it definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea, The Homesman has enough going for it that you really should check it out yourself. The presentation on the blu-ray makes it chosen route to go for home viewing.
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
