The Appaloosa is a special breed of horse known for its leopard coloured spots.  But in the new western directed and co-written by actor Ed Harris (POLLOCK), APPALOOSA is the name of a town and the film is totally different and not to be confused with an earlier western starring Marlon Brando called THE APPALOOSA, this one based on Brando’s recovering of horse of that breed.

Setting is 1882 New Mexico.  Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) are two super sharp shooting quick draws hired by the town folk of APPALOOSA to keep peace.  The town has been overrun by Bragg (Jeremy Irons) and his gang.  Virgil and Everett bring Bragg in for the murder of the former City Marshall.  The film takes a turn with the sudden arrival of the beautiful Mrs. French (Renee Zellweger) arousing hidden emotions in Virgil.

If all this sounds familiar, it must be said that the film treads familiar territory - the damsel in distress, a town hiring gunslingers to rid it of unwanted vermin and shootouts.  But APPALOOSA’s story, based on the novel Robert B. Parker, is far from predictable.  The ending is a surprise.  No one can predict how the characters behave or react.  The adventure is filled with both emotional intensity and atmosphere with the film ending majestically with the hero riding off into the sunset.

Harris starts off his film strong – with the scene of the City Marshall and his deputies confronting the evil Bragg at his ranch.  To the audience shock, all the lawmen are shot dead.  One wonders used Cronenberg’s HISTORY OF VIOLENCE which also starred Mortenson as a guide.  Both films share an identical feel of tension and an almost equal amount of disturbing violence.  Harris’ action sequences are strong – well executed in the delivery of both the shootout scenes and the build up of tension.  His camera placement is old school, often with characters facing the audience while speaking with each other, as in a stage play.

When Mrs. French first plays the piano in the town saloon, the imperfection of her playing suggests her not to be the perfect person.  Zellweger’s portrays a somewhat flawed character but she convinces her audience to sympathize with her when she switches men thus betraying Virgil’s love.  “I am afraid of being alone,” she says, and one can understand the peril of a pretty damsel in distress in an outlawed town. 

But it is the interaction of the two main leads – Virgil and Everett that is the most intriguing.  The origin of Everett’s loyalty to Virgil is never dealt with.  Though this may seem a plot flaw, the mystery generates lots of interest as well as anticipation as how the two would react when in conflict.  But Harris writes up his own character best.  His is a proud man full of human failings disguised by his respected position of the new City Marshall. He is one always ready to learn and read more, despite his speech impediment – one which he guards and is totally embarrassed with.  Everett’s character on the other hand, is one of unquestionable duty till he is pushed to the limit.

APPALOOSA proves that an action packed western can also be filled with emotional drama by hardened characters.  The classic elements of courage, chivalry and loyalty are present.  APPALOOSA also proves that the western genre is still alive and well.  It is just too bad that there are so few new westerns churned out by filmmakers these days.