Slow West [DVD] [2017]

This was another one of those films that was well received by critics and I was interested in watching it when it came out, but it annoyingly didn’t come to my local cinema. So finally, it got watched this afternoon and I have to say that within the first few minutes, I was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. However, these fears were soon assuaged as I began to “get” the film and appreciate the craft involved.First of all, writer/director John McClean has said that he was influenced by various European films and also by Japanese cinema and film noir. While I’m not too sure about the noir, it is apparent that “Slow West” is something of a love letter to European art films, clearly featuring characters of different nationalities and generally creating that kind of atmosphere (apologies for not properly explaining this, it’s hard for me to describe!) The Japanese influence is also noticeable, since the story is akin to a Samurai film and it contains a certain sense of meditative philosophy and thought. Finally, this film is very reminiscent of Jim Jarmusch’s “Dead Man”, both films contain similar characters, themes and general ambiance. All of this is very admirable and definitely adds to the film’s merits.The locations used in this film are praiseworthy as well; shooting in New Zealand allows us to see the American West as we know it, but it is also very different at the same time; choosing New Zealand was clearly a very smart move. The story of “Slow West” is also relatively simple and this allows the intelligent script to shine through, as well as the performances, which are all great. The music is also very good.In summary, this is an impressive debut from writer/director John McClean; “Slow West” is a solidly made, thoughtful, smart film. It avoids a great deal of cliches and will definitely appeal to fans of world cinema, westerns and road movies.

Boring , Slow West ,One of the worst Westerns I have seen.

Satirical commentary on the the victory of death over love.

A refreshing European take on the Western theme with plenty of action and a high degree of sensitivity. In one way this is a kind of "rites of passage" movie. A young man with a massive, but possibly unrequited, love travels 5,000 miles in pursuit of it. The movie meshes old world (Scotland) with new world (the US West, but shot in New Zealand).It captures the innocence, beauty, brutality and depravity of the times in a story which in nicely paced - never boring but never breakneck either. It takes time to glance at the predicament of an old culture being ruthlessly supplanted by a more modern one and the general desperation and loneliness of life on the frontier. Despite this, the film is not bleak, the warmth of the human spirit shines through.Fantastic acting performances from Kode Smit-McPhee as a brave but callow venturer and from Michael Fassbender as a worldly but conflicted bounty hunter. These leads are supported by strong performances from Caren Pistorius as a gritty survivor and Rory McCann (the Hound, GOT) who plays a large chunk of Scotland. Regardless of how you like your Westerns you will enjoy this movie and it's a great credit to its first-time director John Maclean. Highly recommended.

three stars

It was simple in its story yet complex with how it delivered. An inspiring thoughtful film..poeticly acted and rewarding to watch.

I'll watch any film starring Fassbender and I don't regret watching this one...but it is indeed slow. The story is simple and the majority of characters play cameos in its telling. Excellent acting by the two principles. An abundance of panoramic camera with as much close up direction. Will I remember it for more than a fortnight ~ probably not. Arty without being ambitious.

Throw-in basket purchase to make free delivery. Hadn't heard of it. Glad didn't cost much as felt bit dreary, convoluted plot, trying too much/too hard.Visually pleasing, but a bit meandering to really get into. Will probably watch again as it didn't leave me with any distinctive memory of it other than I didn't mind watching it, but wasn't blown away. Maybe I was wanting a trad Western experience, so need to watch as a story, not cowboy action movie (although are some well crafted action scenes). It gets good reviews, so maybe I'd had too much or not enough wine & was in wrong mood. Gone average for now, may grow on me, for free postage, worth a punt.