Hostiles

There was a the day, not so long a go, where many of us will remember that the Western ruled the box office, whether it be a smash hit at the theater , a Saturday matinee or even a program on television. The Western was a format that looked at the old west in America, (sometimes in other countries) and the story featuring the old west incorporated the challenges of either settling the west, bank robbers, or battles between Cowboys and Indians or gunslingers trying to kill someone. There were the black hat Cowboys who were always bad and the white hat Cowboys which were always good. In the simplicity of some of those Westerns we could watch John Ford movies and enjoy the pop-corn; then there was popular director William "Wild Bill " Wellman who gave us Westerns like The Ox Bow Incident that ended up being a full course steak dinner. While some always put Ford in  pop-corn category he also did meaningful Westerns that were like a fine meal ordered at a fine restaurant with tons of social commentary along with a great story such as The Searchers. Unfortunately, over the last number of years, while there have been Westerns released on the big screen, some quite good such as Tombstone, Unforgiven, Dances with Wolves and Open Range among others, those are rare and few between.  All of that said, thankfully, a new classic, one that could also be considered epic, has just entered the genera. That movie is directed by Scott Cooper from Crazy Heart fame is Hostiles.

Hostiles opens with a masterful, cinematic image of a homestead in the wild frontier of New Mexico. The homestead faces the potential of an Indian attack from a brand of Comanche whom have not given into the treaties which placed them under supervision of the United States who had moved them onto a reservation in Montana. The homestead is attacked in a brutal way and we see the hostility and hatred these Indians have for Whites and other settlers in the area. We jump next to a scene of Fort Berringer in New Mexico. where Captain Joseph Blocker, played brilliantly by Christian Bale, has captured some Apache up risers and is taking them back to the fort. Shortly after his return he discovers that he, along with some of the soldiers who have served with him for years are given the orders to escort Comanche dying war chief, Yellow Hawk, played brilliantly by Wes Studi and his family to Montana where his people liveand call home. One thing is clear from the directives given and Berringer's response, he hates Indians, especially Yellow Hawk. While reluctantly following orders under the pretext of losing his pension, he ultimately agrees to provide the escort as long as he can pick the solidiers of his choosing to go along with him. 

The journey of Blocker and his crew escorting Yellow Hawk and his family ultimately has him meeting up with loan survivor of the attack on their homestead, Rosalie Quaid, also played brilliantly by Rosamund Pike. We see her struggles with her own PTSD and the response given toher by not  only the soldiers escorting her, but also Yellow Hawk and his family. One thing both groups understand is the grief and loss of someone like her and the struggles she is going through as a result of such suffering.  Here, you can see influences from directors like John Ford from movies like The Searchers, but Hostiles delivers as much as The Searchers and a whole lot more.

This movie is beautiful to watch and while seeing the opening on a early late night release, ending way after midnight, I was never bored, never tired, and not only entertained but challenged to think throughout the duration of the movie. My wife, a Western buff who had several hours in college graduate studies on Westerns was also entertained while watching the incredible, well crafted story portrayed on screen before us. There were a number of things that made this movie even more incredible for us.

Not only is the story well told in Hostiles but the imagery on screen is also incredible. I have seen most of the Oscar Contenders for the year 2017/18.  Of all of the movies I have seen this last year, if in the same awards categories, this movie would have garnished my vote in numerous categories including, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Original Screenplay, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Make-Up and Hairstyling, Directing, Actress in a Supporting Role, Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actor, and Best Picture.  This movie is that good, and that deserving. It is as excellent as anything on screen during the 2017 Movie year, and frankly, one of the best Westerns ever made in my, (in this case) not so humble opinion.

There are several aspects of Hostiles that I was blown away with, not only is there an entertaining story over the 2 hours and 14 minutes of the film, there is ample social and spiritual commentary throughout the film. We see a strong religious connection between many of the characters in the movie, likely, the strongest men of faith in the film are the soldiers on the escort. There are poignant scenes where there are discussions about such themes as where is God?  How does one grow in their faith and life despite tragedy? There is much more but we also see portrayed in a powerful way, the power of forgiveness and what it means to be a brother or sister to someone. I haven't seen a movie that shows the power of forgiveness as strongly as this one in several years. The possibility that exists from getting to know your enemy, learning to love them as opposed to always hating them and finding a way to hate is powerfully portrayed. One of the beautiful things about Hostiles though is this is portrayed in the simplest of ways, yet, it is in that simplicity that we ultimately see the power of these themes. In the end, we discover all men and women are capable of evil, and in many ways, have done evil. We also see though that God loves all and that we have the potential to love all people, whether they be red or yellow, black or white. These are not just realities regarding God though, they are possible for humanity. Not only are these things possible amongst those who have loved or hated little, they are available for those who have loved and hated much.

The Bible reminds us of such themes, that all are accepted to God in many areas, we can read for example that illustrate this such as Colossians 3: 10 - 14: 

Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.  Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

These words, these themes are played powerfully in the movie Hostiles. I for one am glad I was reminded of them, of the need to live them and better yet, challenged to learn to love, even those I may have perceived in the past who have been my enemies.

On a scale of 1 - 10 for the letters in the "rare nature" of me to call a film epic, of which I call this movie, an Epic film and among the best Westerns ever, I give a rare and deserving 10.  

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrD0I-vLsXM

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