The Old American West has always been a land of enchantment, mystery, romance, prosperity and growth.  It was our culture’s “manifest destiny” to take it.  A lot of the inflated romanticism about the west was transcended into film.  Much of the early movies featured singing cowboys, clean-cut ranch hands and the heroic Calvary battling the evil Indians.  However, the actual west was not like that at all. It was treacherous, untamed and filled with criminals, bounty hunters, gamblers and horse thieves.  Finally, an Italian (not an American), epitomized much of the true “American West” for the screen.  Sergio Leone’s vision of the west was much more violent, the characters were mysterious and not easily likable and turned our beloved west into a barren wasteland.  Perhaps a place even more barren and untamed than the American West is the Australian Outback (even to this day).

Much like the mid-to-late 19th century America, Australia was also experiencing vast growth and prosperity. Clothing, the architectural style of the towns and social lifestyles were very similar. Instead of the class struggle between the Calvary and Indians, Anglo-Europeans and the native Aborigines replaced it.  The Proposition, though not devoted to showcasing the entire history of this era of Australia, shows a small personal and compelling glimpse of what life was like back then.  Borrowing from the morally ambiguous topics of Leone’s west, The Proposition is easily the best representation of the Australian “west.” Of course, how can it be considered a “western” when it takes place in Australia?  Well, both the Outback and the west of the era shows the same imagery and explores the same western themes.  The Proposition isn’t the first Australian western, but I haven’t come across too many. Ned Kelly, Quigley Down Under and last year’s Australia are a few that come to mind. Written by Australian musician Nick Cave (who also provides the score), The Proposition offers a look of how brutal and violent the Outback was.

The key word is "desolate."

After the Hopkins family homestead is raped, murdered and pillaged by the Burns gang, a manhunt ensues to bring them to justice.  The gang then splits into two factions with one part going into the desolate Outback lead by sociopath Arthur Burns (Danny Huston) and the other going into hiding, lead by younger brother Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce).  Accompanying Charlie is the youngest Burns brother, Mikey (Richard Wilson). Charlie, who grew weary of Arthur’s truly evil, psychotic nature, splits from him because he wants no part of murdering innocent people, plus he doesn’t want to expose naïve Mikey to the gang’s violent behavior.  When authorities ambush Charlie’s gang, a violent gunfight ensues and most of his gang is killed, except for himself and Mikey.

Sitting at a table in a cramped-up shack, Charlie is approached by Captain Morris Stanley (Ray Winstone).  Stanley first looks out the shack’s window and says, “Australia, what fresh hell is this?”  He proclaims to Charlie that he will civilize the land from outlaws (like the Burns gang) and the native people.  Stanley, who has to punish them for the Hopkins murders, generously gives Charlie a proposition.  Stanley believes Charlie did not commit any rape or murder of the Hopkins family and younger Mikey was too mentally challenged to pull it off.  He does, however want to bring Arthur to justice, dead or alive.  He lets Charlie go in order to find Arthur in the unforgiving Outback and kill him.  If he does, he will grant Charlie and Mikey a full pardon.  If not, Mikey will hang from the gallows. Charlie has nine days to find Arthur.

Meanwhile, Stanley must deal with the constant “threat” of the native Aboriginals and shielding his innocent wife, Martha Stanley (Emma Watson), from the local town.  Stanley and his wife are originally from England and he is transferred to Australia to bring order to the land.  Stanley must also deal with alienation from the town for making a proposition to a murderous gang and excessive pressure from his superior, Eden Fletcher (David Wenham).  Fletcher greatly disapproves of Stanley’s proposition and is on the verge of relieving him of his duties.

Charlie must make the tough choice to find out what is right or wrong within himself, even if it means killing his brother.  He crosses paths with bounty hunter Jellon Lamb (John Hurt) who aims to kill Arthur for a reward.  Charlie knocks him out and continues toward Arthur’s camp.  He is soon attacked by Aborigines and is rescued by Arthur’s gang.  Arthur, nicknamed “Dog Man,” never sleeps at night and has a constant lust for blood.  When Charlie finally confronts him, he is forced into a moral dilemma.  He must make the tough choice of killing his cold-blooded murdering brother (but still family) or rejoining his regrettable lifestyle of being on the run, even at the risk of losing his younger brother.

Long lost screenshot from Guy Pearce's audition tape for 'The Passion of the Christ.'

Danny Huston as Arthur Burns is truly the scariest and sickest western villain I have ever seen.  You never know when he will lunge to kill or just lull you into a casual conversation about family. You hate him, but are also intrigued about how a human being could be so evil. Huston is magnificent in the role and truly gives the best performance of the film. You’re also not sure about Charlie himself.  Yes, he didn’t commit any rape or murder, but you’re not sure if he wants to go back to his old ways.  Guy Pearce plays Charlie as a mysterious individual and makes his moral intentions undefined.  You question his past, but feel for him because he loves his younger brother Mikey and will do anything to protect him.  Ray Winstone is also superb.  He is forceful in the nature of his job, but is also a gentleman to his wife and the Aboriginals. His and Emma Watson’s characters are truly the only good-hearted people in the film. You could say Mikey is somewhat innocent, but is still was associated with Arthur.

I haven’t seen so many mysterious characters in one western before, even above Leone’s.  This is how the true west was like and Nick Cave nails it with his fabulous script.  His score, which accompanies his writing, is triumphant, as it is asked to drive the movie and leaves a haunting impression.  He also gives respect to the native Australian population by giving them important roles and making them a major part of the story.  Aboriginal actors David Gulpili and Tommy Lewis were very good and you come out with a better appreciation of their culture.  Cave bridges the gap between those who where modernized and those who kept hold of old tradition. Lewis, who plays Two-Bob and is part of the Burns gang, dresses in then-modern clothes, uses a gun and speaks in an Aussie accent. Gulpili, who plays Jacko, and is scout for the authorities, is the exact opposite. He uses the native tongue, uses traditional weaponry like the spear and dresses in native clothing.  Cave brings in both cultures and wonderfully blends them together.

Much of the credit should also go to director John Hillcoat.  Hillcoat makes Cave’s blood-drenched script come alive with beautiful panoramic shots of the Outback and quick editing sequences during the more violent scenes.  His dark-lit shots of Danny Huston make his character seem truly evil.  Hillcoat’s direction, combined with Cave’s script, help create one of the bloodier western masterpieces.  The Proposition is truly an excellent western, a great film and one you need to seek out.

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I wanted to take a slightly different approach to the “Films U Missed” column this time out, primarily because the film I wanted to feature made it necessary. Usually our business is to highlight great films that the majority of the U.S. public ignored upon its theatrical release and continued to do so on the home video market. However, the film I wanted to highlight for you hasn’t been released in the U.S. to date. Not theatrically or on DVD/Blu-ray, but you can still see it. And hey, Martin Scorsese chose The Horse Thief, a film released in 1986 as his favorite film from the 90s, so hear me out.

The story revolving around All the Boys Love Mandy Lane goes a little something like this. As high school girls are apt to do, Mandy Lane has developed into a stunner over the course of the summer between sophomore and junior year. When school begins, all eyes are trained on her. Guys lustily gaze at her as she struts through the halls. She now embodies beauty, but still carries the same subdued personality her prior two years had engrained in her. Her only friend is the emo kid, Emmett, she’s grown up with, but all of that’s about to change.

Mandy’s newfound hotness opens a lot of doors for her and the first one we’re treated to is an invite to a pool party with the requisite popular girls and guys. Of course the host doesn’t extend the invitation to Emmett, but Mandy makes it known that unless he comes, she doesn’t. They’re both in attendance. At the party, Emmett is quickly forgotten about and Mandy retains her closed-off appearance, not feeling at home with these types of people. Of course, she remains the ultimate prize and receives her fair share of attention from the host as he does his future-frat-boy best to entice Mandy into a compromising situation. She shrugs him off and the unlikely Emmett advises him that his approach is just like all the other poor schmucks trying to get at Mandy. Emmett tells him he needs to do something to distinguish himself from the pack. He does.

Even the cameraman is obsessed with Mandy.

Nine months later and the school year winds down. Mandy is now at ease with her body, but still does her best to keep herself at a certain distance from the popular kids at school. She continues to lead the pack while running track during P.E. class, but when Emmett tries to catch up to her, she makes it clear she’s moved on from their friendship, too. The call of popularity is a loud and persistent one, however, and Mandy eventually caves to voluntarily go on a weekend vacation with two girls and three other guys at a country ranch house. Just enough for a triad of pairs. The ranch house brings a sense of freedom to the group, but a wave of fear just the same when someone or something goes bump in the night.

High school is a time and place of burgeoning bodies and experiences. The phenomenon of summertime blossoming is a very real experience for young girls. My high school crush was very similar to Mandy in terms of development time-frame. She made the transition from “cute” to “hot” sometime between sophomore and junior year. Although I’d never make the mistake of saying being a guy is easy, always having the looming fear of rejection awaiting you when considering asking a girl on a date. However, things must be absurdly difficult for a girl like Mandy, when every guy on campus is pining for her attention and affection. How does she maintain the values she’s been instilled with, while facing constant badgering and opportunity to the contrary? This is the crux of the film, which proves exactly how difficult her situation must be. It’s the opposite of the nerdy fatboy role, but no less harrowing.

Amber Heard is visually crucial as Mandy. She’s not an actress so obviously playing beneath her age. She still maintains some of the facial baby fat to where you can buy her as one just recently removed from her awkward teenage phase to become a young woman. Also, the premise of a girl drawing the lustful eyes of every high school horndog is impossible to pull off without an actress who genuinely fits the bill. Certainly Hollywood is not devoid of young female visual talent, but being appealing to high school males and people across the age and gender spectrum are two different sets of skills. For that, Heard’s casting is commended and hopefully she continues to receive roles as complex as Mandy Lane into the future, as to my knowledge, it hasn’t occurred yet.

Haybales are good things to hide behind if the killer isn't following you in a car.

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane was director Jonathan Levine’s first feature, and luckily for him he’s been able to bounce back from the convoluted (and still unresolved) release situation surrounding this film, to write and direct last year’s unseen gem, The Wackness. Both films focus on the high school relationship experience in very different ways and if he were to continue the trend he’d have the opportunity to solidify himself as a darker John Hughes.

The film, written by Jacob Forman, teeters on the edge of cliché at times which certainly isn’t the reason I’m recommending a viewing, but rather for the twists that make it unique from the typical slasher film. The high school horror is of course nothing new, ever since Michael Myers was hunting Laurie Strode and her brethren in Halloween. However, this film doesn’t resort to having a seemingly immortal masked monster causing terror. Instead, although the ranch house setting makes for cinematic fantasy, the horror and killings contain a reality reminiscent of the Columbine massacre. It without a doubt serves as a cautionary parable far beyond the usual horror adage of “don’t have sex before marriage.”

Although the film has yet to be screened in the Unites States (which has nothing to do with the film’s content), aside from a few film festivals, I wouldn’t recommend it if it were completely unattainable. All the Boys Love Mandy Lane has been released on both Blu-ray and DVD in the UK, either of which can be purchased from Amazon UK and shipped here for a decent price. This may not be a fully transcendent piece of art, but is far better than even the average horror release, which in and of itself seems to be harder to come by these days. All the Boys Love Mandy Lane is a not-because-you-ignored-it Film U Missed.

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Like Fargo before it, The Lookout focuses on crime in the Midwest and how much of a lonely place it can be, especially in the winter.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the star of the film, has really impressed me with his work and I feel he’s coming extremely close to becoming a “big time” actor. Gordon-Levitt originally rose to fame as Tommy Solomon from “3^rd Rock from the Sun” and was initially in some mainstream movies like 10 Things I Hate About You (one of the few good teen comedies) and Halloween H20. After his TV show concluded, he was careful on what roles he picked and often stuck with the independent route. Such films as Mysterious Skin (2004) and Brick (2005) earned him critical praise, which had led to more mainstream roles again, such as Stop-Loss, Miracle at St. Anna and G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra.  Thankfully, he hasn’t forgotten his independent roots and recently came out with (500) Days of Summer. However, his best might be The Lookout from 2007.  Written and directed by Scott Frank (writer of Get Shorty, Out of Sight), The Lookout provides Gordon-Levitt with one of his best performances and offers a below-the-radar crime classic.  The film offers so much more than just your average crime movie, it focuses on true friendship, loneliness and psychological well-being.  If Michael Mann is still sticking with crime movies after the mediocre Public Enemies, perhaps he should do a low-key movie in the same vein.

Chris Pratt (Gordon-Levitt) has everything going for him. He is a standout hockey player destined for the NHL, has a beautiful girlfriend and has numerous ambitions once he leaves high school. While out driving with his friends, his life comes crashing down after he suffers a horrible car crash in the middle of the countryside.  His two friends are killed and he and his girlfriend sustain life-altering injuries.  Four years after the accident, Chris’ life is almost at rock bottom.  His hockey career is over, he suffers from severe short-term memory loss and has few friends, his only ones being his blind roommate, Lewis (Jeff Daniels), and local deputy, Ted (Sergio Di Zio), who visits Chris while he works a night job as a janitor in a small town bank.

What's the equivalent of the white cane for someone with Chris' disability? A bedazzled look?

Jeff Daniels as Lewis is superb. He should have been up for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as he plays such a convincing blind man.  Frank cleverly wrote the Lewis character as a good friend to Chris who looks out for his well-being, but also forces Chris into being an independent person and not relying on anybody else, especially another man with a physical handicap.

Chris, who is still somewhat of a local phenomenon since he played hockey, goes to school for the disabled in Kansas City and commutes to a small neighboring town to work. He gets frustrated because he sometimes lacks the basic motor skills and thoughts of the average person. He feels inferior due to his successful well-to-do family and is embarrassed when he tells them he wants to open a restaurant with Lewis.  Alienated by the people who are supposed to be his biggest supporters, his life becomes lonelier. While taking a break at the local bar near the bank, he is approached by Gary Spargo (Matthew Goode), a guy who says he knew his sister Alison (Janaya Stephens) in high school.

Gary and Chris get more acquainted and he is introduced to Luvlee Lemons (Isla Fisher), an ex-stripper.  They manage to hook up and Chris begins to hang out more with Gary’s friends.  While at a farm party, Chris finds out he is being seduced by Gary to rob the bank he works out.  Chris, who is suspicious of the bank job, agrees to help Gary because he lacks any friends and has little going on with his life.  Gary tells him he will be the “lookout” while the bank is robbed. His selling point to Chris is, “Whoever has the money, has the power.” Chris takes the words to heart as he lost his power four years ago in the car accident. He must decide where his true friendships lie and make a tough decision as to what direction his life may lead him.

Usually, you'd be hard-pressed to meet a shady character at a bar.

Being British, Matthew Goode sure as has hell fooled me as an American.  Once again, his character benefits from a well-written script by Frank, and Goode gives an outstanding performance. His mannerisms with his dialogue give his character such a deceiving persona, but also comes off as a cool guy that you would want to have a beer with.  He’s actually one of the few antagonists that look like a normal guy and not a flamboyant character who has big plans with stolen money.  Goode portrays Gary as a criminal who is calm and collected, something you want if you plan on robbing a bank.

Isla Fisher, the wife of Bruno (Sacha Baron Cohen), is also very good. Despite being entangled with the manipulation of Chris, Frank makes us aware that her character truly likes Chris and doesn’t support what Gary is doing to him. She is not oblivious at all to the robbery, but is ruled with an iron fist by Gary to think otherwise.

Scott Frank provides a unique look at the crime/drama genre, but adds much more to it, like loyalty and friendship.  Chris suffers through mental lapses and is easily manipulated because of his loneliness and the Midwest backdrop only heightens his feelings. The things he does remember are the people he cares about and he stands his ground when they’re in danger. Frank certainly made a splash with his directorial debut because his shots and editing completely echo his script.  The movie doesn’t stray at all and is very fast-paced, even with all the psychological undercurrents Chris struggles with. Yes, the crime aspect is a big part of the movie, but Frank makes us care about the characters more. This is certainly one of the better written crime movies I’ve seen because it offers so much more than face value and it works so well within a tightly-knit movie.

Of course, the true star is Gordon-Levitt.  He gives the best and most important performance by making us feel for his situation.  There are quite a few scenes where he’s left by himself and he easily carries his own.  He makes us care about Chris and finding forgiveness in his life after his stupid decision which led to the accident.  This could be Gordon-Levitt’s best performance and it’s nothing over-the-top or not believable. The Lookout gives a fresh look at the crime genre and you almost forget you’re watching one because you’re so engaged with characters. A very overlooked movie that deserves your attention. Look out for it.

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