10/15/2006

This Land Is My Land

It was laziness that kept me familiar with musician Nick Cave only as someone to confuse with Nick Drake. Thanks to Beth, I can now say I've had an education on the Drake.

Guy Pearce's mug on the dvd cover for The Proposition is the reason I picked this film up because he never lets me down -- Memento, L.A. Confidential, ...Priscilla. So it's Guy that gets the credit for clueing me in that Nick Cave can write moody and charged music and has enviable screenwriting talent as well.

The opening scene confronts with a violent chaos throwing you right into the dust of the wild wild west of late 1800s Australia. In order to win the freedom of his younger brother, Guy Pearce must track down and kill his older brother who is responsible for terrible acts of violence and murder. Giving him a period of days to accomplish this, local lawman Ray Winstone puts his authority and reputation on the line.

The breathtaking hostility of the land provides the backdrop for a morality tale with familiar themes but an uncommon beauty in the telling. Director John Hillcoat manages a significant amount of tension even as he leads us to an inevitable conclusion. The violence, while brutal, is used sparingly and to great and graphic effect and he draws memorable performances from the whole cast which includes Emily Watson and John Hurt.

After I'd finished rhapsodizing about the film, I asked my friend John what he thought and he said "It was boring".

So there you have it, a balanced look at The Proposition.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for giving me something to put in my dwindling netflix queue. Guy Pearce has such an interesting face.

Melinda June said...

Guy Pearce is sex on legs.

Cup said...

I've been interested in checking it out; it's now on the rental list.

Nick Cave is pretty cool, isn't he?

And I agree with Ms. June.

Jenna said...

After seeing the trailer I should think that it's anything but boring. Even if it wasn't John's taste. I'll have to check it out :)

Coaster Punchman said...

Sounds a lot like Poor George & I sharing opinions. Oh, and Beth is awesome, isn't she?

4 Non Blogs said...

Fall down and worship at the alter that is Nick Cave. He makes The Cure look like The Wiggles.

ziggystardust73 said...

I have a story about Guy Pearce from my mispent youth....

but can't repeat it here ;-)

thanks for the tip re. the film!

Chancelucky said...

I've added it to my Netflix list.

Anonymous said...

May I recommend Nick Cave's "Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus." It's pretty great.

Moderator said...

Are you sure you're not thinking of Nik Kershaw?

Dale said...

I got your recommendations right here PinkFluffySlippers! Glad to help.

I hit a nerve or something like a nerve didn't I MJ?

Nick Cave is cool Beth but he could learn from you.

It's a slow paced film and I think that may have impaired his already impaired judgement Giz.

It's a good thing I'm always right as I expect you are CP. As for Beth - rawther.

How about I listen before I devote my life Skincarver?

Are you sure you can get away with that comment Ziggy?

Hey CL, hope you like it as much as I did.

Thanks for the recommend Holly, I'll definitely give it a go.

I got it bad but not that bad Grant Miller!

Tumuli said...

I've been meaning to see this film. Then again, any Nick Cave project has my attention.

Dale said...

Apparently I'm all about the Nick Cave now Tumuli. The movie was enjoyable and following Holly's recommendation, I bought and listened to Abbatoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus and it demands many more listens.

Thanks Holly. And maybe I will start a little altar Skincarver.