Released: February 2014
Director: Kristian Levring
Rated R for Violence Throughout
Run Time: 92 Minutes
Distributor: IFC Films
Cast:
Mads Mikkelson: Jon Jensen
Eva Green: Madelaine
Jeffrey Dean Morgan: Henry Delarue
Eric Cantona: Corsican
Jonathan Pryce: Mayor Nathan Keane
In the arena of film, there are few genres that are as beloved as the Western. The whole concept of the Wild West is an extraordinary one. Heading out to explore the Western Frontier during the 1800s sounds like a very….romantic ideal, even though the reality was far from romantic. It was brutal, bleak and extremely dangerous. Yet, that never stopped people from fantasizing about strapping on a pair of cowboy boots, a revolver, and a cowboy hat while hopping on a horse and taking off towards the sunset. It’s an iconic scene that’s been done by the legendary Roy Rodgers, John Wayne, and even Clint Eastwood. It doesn’t get old, at least, not for me. There have been many great westerns over the past 60-70 years, far too many for me to list here. Yet, while we have seen a number of westerns over the past decade, how many of them have actually been any good? I can count on one hand, how many that is. It strikes me as inconceivable that people would be able to manage to screw up a western. I grant you, it’s kind of hard to come up with an original story set in the Old West, and yet some film-makers seem to have forgotten what makes a Western, a Western. It’s not just about cowboys and Indians, it’s about the environment and the world in which these characters exist. The landscape of a Western is as important a character as say, someone like Wyatt Earp. So, what happens when you have an American Western that’s not made by Americans? Surprisingly, something very, very good. Here, is where The Salvation comes in.
Opening in the Old West of the 1870s, we see a former Danish soldier, Jon, on a train platform awaiting the arrival of his wife and son; a wife and son he has not seen in 7 years. After getting into a stagecoach with two other….questionable passengers, Jon and his family are on their to his ranch near the town of Black Creek. Unfortunately for Jon, the two other passengers are criminals who had just gotten out of jail and force him out of the stagecoach. Chasing down the coach, he discovers that his son and wife have been brutally murdered. Enraged, he takes his vengeance out on the two scumbags who destroyed his family. What Jon does not know, is that one of the crooks that he executed is the brother of a former Army colonel-turned-gangster, Henry Delarue. Delarue, after learning that his brother was gunned down, is demanding Jon’s head. A good story doesn’t have to be complex or original to be compelling or entertaining. In fact, The Salvation borrows a lot of its themes from many other movies like The Unforgiven, but it borrows the best bits. The theme of revenge and redemption is very common in a Western. Here, we have two different men whose families have been torn apart and each one is seeking retribution for the other’s crimes. It’s a classic trope, and when done right, it’s absolutely thrilling.
Like I said above, what sets this movie apart from the rest, is the fact that it’s made by Europeans, not Americans. It’s not even shot in America. That tells you what kind of filmmakers you’re dealing with here. While the film isn’t perfect, it’s more than good enough to make up for those flaws, and I’m going to explain why. For one, the cast is extraordinary. Our lead actor is Mads Mikkelson, from the TV series, Hannibal. This guy is an incredibly intense actor. You look at his eyes and his face, and you could believe that he could stare down a herd of charging buffalo, and they would turn to avoid him. He could stare right through you. That helps the man’s performance incredible. One of the biggest surprises comes from Eva Green, who plays the mute Madelaine. Eva Green is one of the most expressive actresses I have ever seen. Her character had her tongue cut out, so she doesn’t speak a word, but she doesn’t have to. Her eyes and her facial expressions say it all, and not many actors can get away with that. Eva’s character is a very strong woman, and is willing to get her hands dirty. She’s also the wild card in the film. We have no idea whose side she’s really on. She and Mads Mikkelson are the main anchors of this film with absolutely incredible performances.
With this being a Western, you have to expect certain things to happen, namely gun fights. Oh, there are gun fights. This is a pretty violent movie as far as Westerns go, but it’s done for a reason. It’s not overly bloody, but it’s still pretty brutal considering the main character’s motivations. While there are some obvious CGI effects, it doesn’t really dampen the affair, as it’s incredibly intense from beginning to end. The battles are very well executed(pardon the expression). Every battle has weight to it. The last battle is epic and brutal. It’s incredibly fun to watch. The film is very well-paced. The 92 minute run-time ensures that The Salvation doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s an incredibly solid effort from Danish filmmaker Kristian Levring.
Sadly, as with all things, this is not a perfect movie. As I mentioned, some of the CGI shots are fairly obvious and not particularly great. Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s performance as Delarue, while subdued, doesn’t really strike me as threatening, as you would expect from a character like that. He maintains such a straight face and monotone voice throughout the entire affair. While I’m glad he didn’t go over-the-top, he definitely lacks the flair of some of the better villains in Westerns. The rest of the actors are just kind of…..there. They don’t really add much to the whole movie. Jonathan Pryce, while good, is criminally underused as the town’s mayor. With that in mind, if you are a fan of good Westerns, you should really give The Salvation a look. It’s got some really great acting from two of its leads, and has some pretty impressive scenery and gun fights. This one gets a 9/10. Recommended.