Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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62 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"We all have it coming, Kid." A True Classic Masterpiece, December 27, 2002
"Unforgiven" is much more than a breathtaking Western, it's an amazing film altogether. With elements of drama and film noir, this is a picture that shows us that there are some demons you can never put to rest, no matter how hard you try.
Clint Eastwood stars as William Munny, a once notorious and violent killer and thief. If Munny didn't like you, chances were that you wouldn't live long enough for him to tell you so. However, that was in the old days. Now, he's just a quiet and tired farmer who is a devoted father still in mourning of his dead wife. He's been straight for years and is trying to put all of his demons to rest, but you still get the feeling that no matter how hard he tries, he will always be haunted. An opportunity comes to him in the name of `The Schofield Kid.' He gives him a chance to be his partner and have him help on a bounty. Knowing that the money could help his family out, Munny finally decides to take the Kid up on the offer. He also brings with him Ned Logan; an old friend and partner. Little Bill Daggett is the Sheriff in town, and the thing he hates most are assassins. He will do anything in his power to take care of them and make sure they do not succeed on their killing. The last remaining part of the film stands out the most and is so well executed that it catches you off guard.
This really is a great film and it surprised me like I would've never expected. I don't like Westerns all that much, but this isn't your typical Western. That is probably why I enjoyed it so much. There is so much story and character development. You really are able to sympathize with Munny, despite his dark and violent past. You want him to be able to get on with his life and forget the past, although you know deep down that things will never be put to rest, and agreeing to go on this bounty only increases the chance of Munny returning back to his old ways. This isn't a Western where the line between good guys and bad guys are clear and the storyline is simple; good guy kills bad guys and gets the girl in the end. No, you won't find any of this here. In this story there are no clear good guys or bad guys, just regular people. This is a real story with real characters that you can feel for. There is a huge issue of morality that takes place, which is something you don't see much in Westerns.
Not only does Eastwood do a terrific job in acting, he also does an amazing job as director. He's a man with vision, and who more qualified to direct a film of this magnitude. I don't think the film would had been as successful had it been done by someone else. The cast is also outstanding. Morgan Freeman really does his role justice. Gene Hackman spreads fear inside of you as the mean and tough Sheriff. Richard Harris also deserves mention for his part as well. (He is sorely missed. He was a very gifted actor.) Everyone really did great in their roles and really knew how to bring the film together.
This new DVD edition really does the movie justice. Though it may not have the most special features, the one feature that stands out the most is the new digital transfer that really makes the picture look crystal clear. The sound is also very impressive as well. Special features included are as follows: Audio commentary by Film Critic and Eastwood Biographer Richard Schickel, Eastwood film highlights, awards list, trailer, and 4 documentaries.
"Unforgiven" is really a spectacular film that deserved the Academy Awards for "Best Picture" and "Best Director." And it is a true masterpiece in my eyes. I think anyone who is a lover of films should give this one a try. Remember, you do not have to be a Western fan to enjoy this, because I am certainly not one. Some people may be disappointed in the lack of action or shoot-outs, but the film is about so much more. It's about morals and trying to put the past to rest. It's also about accepting who you are and that there are some things you will never be able to change, no matter how hard you try. This will end up being one of my favorites in no time. I was very surprised, indeed.
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68 of 83 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unforgiven - 1992's Best Picture winner!, February 16, 2003
Unforgiven is clearly among the top westerns ever made. This movie is simple, dark and yet highly complex in its superb script and the outstanding performances by all concerned. Few westerns will draw you into the lead characters as this one does. Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and the sorely missed Richard Harris all deserved awards for their collective performances. What is a western without Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman!The premise: Welcome to Big Whiskey Wyoming, where in a small "billiards" saloon, a cowboy gets angry at a whore and, with the help of his buddy, cuts her face up. The other "women" of the establishment, pool their money and start telling everybody that they're offering a reward to whoever kills these two young cowboys. This is precipitated by Gene Hackmans character Little Bill, who essentially doesn't punish them for their crime. Clint Eastwood plays William Munny, who in his earlier days was every bit one of the worst, meanest gunslingers in the west. Some ten years prior to the events at the beginning of this fine film, William Munny met his wife Claudia, who turned this serious gunslinger into a family man, unfortunately for him and his little children, his wife died three years prior. He is now a poor pig farmer, with two little children. The son of one of his old riding buddies has heard about this reward and seeks out William Munnys assistance in tracking down these unpunished criminals. After some hesitation, he seeks out his friend Ned, played by Morgan Freeman, one of the finest actors of our day. The three of them head north to seek out the reward. What follows is clearly a movie that while, for the better part is melodramatic; it is that melodrama that is gripping. All those who received accolades for this fine film, richly deserved those accolades. This exceptional film that graced the silver screen so beautifully and then the home theater, deserves a hallowed place on ones DVD rack and is perfectly well suited to repeated viewings. I highly recommend this masterpiece to any and all, even those who may not find themselves interested in westerns will find this film highly compelling. {ssintrepid}
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27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful, hero-less western, January 6, 2003
There are no heroes in Unforgiven. Just the living and the dead. Critics hailed this as a "revisionist western," but if you look back over Clint Eastwood's entire career, you see that Unforgiven is just par for the course. Eastwood's westerns have always been brutally violent, but unglamorously so. From the vicious lynching that opens Hang 'Em High, right on through to Unforgiven, Eastwood has unflichingly looked at violence and seen in it our desperation to live. He rarely has music over violence. Punches are often soft and wet sounding, instead of always sounding like whipcracks. It is brutal. It is difficult. It hurts. So, while I don't sing the praises of this movie for any innovation, I do praise it for two things. First, it embodies and summarizes Eastwood's examination of the Western and American violence. Second, for the absolutely incredible performance of Gene Hackman as Little Bill Dagget. Hackman's performance is one of the best pieces of acting ever captured on film. David Webb Peoples' script is obviously a big part of that performance, but Hackman's portrayal of the man for whom brutality is a mere tool, who wants only peace, order, and to finish his house, is amazing. His character is the only one that has figured out that being a dangerous man IS dangerous. He is the only one of the dangerous men in this film to have found a way out. Or so he believes.This movie has a lot to say about America. About the Western genre. About our voyeuristic love of violence. And it says it well. It leaves you with much to consider. That's much more than you get from most mainstream Hollywood fare.
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