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Rating: Author's introductory note: the summary for those in a hurry and always busy materializes by reading only the bold sentences.
I really like films that revolve around the ending. They are very risky films, of course, because if they are not very good, once you have seen them, they no longer have any reason to exist. This is true for Shutter Island, which you watch the first time and at the end you're a bit lost yet fascinated, then you watch it again, and come on damn it, (sorry Martin, I know you read me) it doesn't make a lick of sense!
Well, this doesn't apply to Unforgiven, even though it leans heavily on the ending, because the film is great throughout and that ending is too powerful. And if you watch the film knowing how it will end, you enjoy it even more.
Clint essentially is a good Christian who raises pigs, chickens, and children, with dedication and love, but he hides a past as a ruthless alcoholic outlaw. When a young guy arrives at his farm blabbering about scarred whores and bounties in big bucks for those who get the scar makers, a lightbulb goes off in Clint: “you never know, with a simple little killing of two pieces of shit who deserve it anyway, I might get a new fence and an education for my kids?”
You know what? Let's go call Morgan Freeman, who is the partner from back in the day, and let's go kick some ass.
The antagonist is Gene Hackman, a gangster-sheriff who slaps around anyone who is armed, no questions asked.
The film progresses and you say "but Clint! what the hell are you doing? React for heaven's sake! You're a coward, Clint! I get that you're a good man but this is chickening out!"
And the certainties crumble one after another, Morgan's having existential crises, the kid is an idiot, and you say "no, no, not Clint too!" and you lose hope and then…...boooooooooom badabooooooom badaboooombomboboooooooooom!
Clint decides to start drinking again and to kill everyone.
Everyone on their feet on the couch!
Because Clint is, after all, Clint.
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Other reviews
By Blackdog
"William Munny is a bad man. A real bastard, son of a bitch. He could kill you all: old men, women, children."
"The western epic... is a lie: even in the wild and 'mythical' West, violence was often senseless, and the romance of 'duels at high noon' went to hell in the cowardice of petty and reprehensible figures."
By Paparazzo
The film’s merits are remarkable nonetheless, the cinematography is beautiful and some scenes are memorable.
I find the film well-made and with notable merits but I can’t consider it the masterpiece it is for most... it seems rather cold and calculated to me.
