The Proposition

For my money, the finest Australian western around. Not that there is much competition, but still. The Proposition, written by musician Nick Cave and directed by John Hillcoat, is set in the Australian outback of the 1880s. It is violent, beautiful, and quiet. By quiet, I mean tempers rarely flare, as outlaws and lawmen aim to kill one another in an almost civilized way. That is police Captain Stanley's (Ray Winstone) intention, to make the land civilized. But between stunning shots of the outback are stark scenes of violence, though only in the beginning are they traditional shootouts. The violence of The Proposition is up close and personal, and typically revolves around vengeance or for the furthering of a characters interests. The film is dark and brooding, but the story is about one brother (Guy Pearce) trying to kill another (Danny Huston). Cave's score fits perfectly with the overall tone of the film. A good watch regardless of your opinion on westerns.

Genre - Western (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (3)