All right. It's Costner behind the camera directing a slow paced character study of quick justice in a time period with every right to remain extinct to civilization. Oh, he gets to act in it too. What drew me to see "Open Range" was not the storyline or the theatrical trailers or those other reviews, but rather that ever so lovely stimulous most us movie buffs cannot resist when three simple words are throw together...Academy Award Contender.

Yes, I fell for the picture's pre-Oscar race marketing and sat nearly front row. Forgive me.

However, despite my better judgments, "Open Range" was surprisingly good and believe it or not, somewhat original. The picture tells the story of Boss Spearman, a free range master played by Oscar winner and multi-nominee Robert Duvall, who sends one of his men into the nearest town for supplies. After having a run in with the town sheriff and the kingpin rancher who controls the town with corruption and most of the surrounding lands, Duvall's man is killed and another severely injured. Duvall and his right hand Charley White, played by Costner--a Best Director Oscar winner himself, head for town in search of quick justice and bring their injured help to the local doctor. There, they meet the doctor's live-in nurse and sister, Sue, played by Oscar winner Annette Benning.

The pace of the picture is very slow, but through the entire work, I never found myself disinterested. Duvall and Costner give fine performances, keeping their audience attentive to what smart-ass remark they may say next. Benning also flexed her on screen talent, playing the love interest demurely and with much fore-thought.

Definitely the best part of the movie is the 15 minute shoot-out finale, which makes up for the film's lack of nudity and sex. The fight was highly realistic, showing those being shot continue to be shot until they simply stop moving. One bullet doesn't kill a man solely in this picture, which is a defining trait of most spaghetti westerns in the past.

However, Costner's likeable character, depite his self-depricating nature, is very reminding of Clint Eastwood's William Munny in the Academy Award winning "Unforgiven." Both characters are haunted by their past of wicked behavior and careless violence. Aside form that, "Open Range" has the full flavor of something new. Even though it takes another 15 minutes after the shootout to resolve the love interest between Costner and Benning, the feature's weakest link.

Costner introduces new screenwriter Craig Storper whose only other credit includes the 1986 TV movie "The Truth About Alex." I haven't seen it, but I going to guess it's about some gay guy in the closet.

I would suggest anyone who appreciates violence as a vehicle for black comedy and cheap laughs should see Costner's new project, and don't allow anyone to tell you THIS western is "typical."

Benn - Where's the Humanity?