The Homesman

An intimate melancholic western with a very human message that can surprise, strain and move the viewer. It's one of those films that makes you think about yourself while watching it, and you don't stop thinking about it even when it's over and the credits are long gone. Tommy Lee Jones is once again excellent behind and in front of the camera, and Hillary Swank is great, too... All the other roles are also perfectly cast. One wonders if it's not a "waste of acting material" to engage John Lithgow, James Spader, William Fichtner, Meryl Streep and others for just a few minutes. It's not. (12/11/2016)

The rawest western in years. Slowly flowing, focusing mainly on character development and the careful and detailed building of the psychological minutiae of each twisted character. Tommy Lee Jones has this incredibly well in hand. This is also why I don't understand the lapses in editing and the unnecessary skipping of individual scenes, which were often clunky and distracting – though probably intentional. Similarly, the overly plodding pace is a shame. Watching two hours of sunsets is fine, but it's not enough, and it can have all the innovative depth and power with the typical western atmosphere of the uncompromising wild west it wants and it still is not enough. Hilary Swank, as always, rocks with her immediacy, and the twist towards the end of the film is quite shocking in a good way. (10/28/2015)

The West still exists today, and I'm truly glad about it. This beloved genre of mine needs resuscitation, and I think a film like "The Homesman" is the right way to do it. It's not "Django," that's to be expected, but Tommy Lee Jones shows that he has a sense for characters, as well as for a story that isn't boring, even though its pace is slow. As a director and screenwriter, he is good, but as an actor, he showcases his best abilities, rivaling only the captivating Hilary Swank. She is so masculine and ugly that she is simply beautiful. An amazing actress. (09/25/2014)