Butcher's Crossing is the existential, social commentary, environmental, horror-skewing, Nicolas Cage-starring Western we've all been waiting for.
Cage stars as Miller, a buffalo hunter who seeks to complete an ambitious expedition to the Colorado Rockies for premium buffalo hides. Most have written off Miller and his promises of a big payday, leaving him without a crew. But when Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger), a wide-eyed Harvard-dropout, arrives in Butcher's Crossing, KS, looking for adventure, Miller is able to convince him to not only join his party, but also to finance the trip. While the group makes it to their destination safely, Miller's ego and misguided drive threaten their ability to return home.
Cage continues to bristle against his reputation as the unhinged maniac that made him a star and he continues to impress. Perhaps the biggest compliment to be given to Cage is that the eccentric actor is forgotten about at many points in the film. Instead, the supporting characters and subplots are the focal points, in spite of a mediocre script.
The most unique aspect of the film is the horror influence incorporated into the editing and score. Director Gabe Polsky examines the group's mental status through the lens of four men trapped and losing their grip on reality. While the genre flip adds an interesting texture to Butcher's Crossing, it isn't sustained long enough to be fully effective. The heart of the film lies in its commentary on the extinction of the buffalo in the US and the general disregard for nature by white America, leaving the psychological thriller aspects of the expedition feeling tacked on.
In spite of these flaws, Butcher's Crossing is a compelling film that brings to life a side of the cowboy genre not often explored. Alongside the performances, the beauty of the open plains and Rockies is gorgeously captured, creating a film with an epic feel that still remains intimate. While a historical drama, the movie's message continues to reverberate strongly today.
(Saban Films)Cage stars as Miller, a buffalo hunter who seeks to complete an ambitious expedition to the Colorado Rockies for premium buffalo hides. Most have written off Miller and his promises of a big payday, leaving him without a crew. But when Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger), a wide-eyed Harvard-dropout, arrives in Butcher's Crossing, KS, looking for adventure, Miller is able to convince him to not only join his party, but also to finance the trip. While the group makes it to their destination safely, Miller's ego and misguided drive threaten their ability to return home.
Cage continues to bristle against his reputation as the unhinged maniac that made him a star and he continues to impress. Perhaps the biggest compliment to be given to Cage is that the eccentric actor is forgotten about at many points in the film. Instead, the supporting characters and subplots are the focal points, in spite of a mediocre script.
The most unique aspect of the film is the horror influence incorporated into the editing and score. Director Gabe Polsky examines the group's mental status through the lens of four men trapped and losing their grip on reality. While the genre flip adds an interesting texture to Butcher's Crossing, it isn't sustained long enough to be fully effective. The heart of the film lies in its commentary on the extinction of the buffalo in the US and the general disregard for nature by white America, leaving the psychological thriller aspects of the expedition feeling tacked on.
In spite of these flaws, Butcher's Crossing is a compelling film that brings to life a side of the cowboy genre not often explored. Alongside the performances, the beauty of the open plains and Rockies is gorgeously captured, creating a film with an epic feel that still remains intimate. While a historical drama, the movie's message continues to reverberate strongly today.