3:10 to Yuma

The Western, a much beloved film genre, may have seen a decline in proliferation as the decades passed, but certainly not in quality. There is a strange phenomena that affects certain things that we love that were once plenty but now rare. If one is going to tackle some thing that is so loved by others (and presumably oneself), damned if you're not going to do it right. Thankfully with the western this often holds true to a splendid degree.

Beautifully shot against the desert landscapes os Arizona, 3:10 to Yuma frames a gritty story of one man's search for respect against the rocks, plains, and hills it is all too easy to forget still exist. The story is laid out simply as notorious outlaw Ben Waid (Russell Crowe) is captured and subsequently chaperoned to a prison-bound train by a posse barely up to the task. That posse includes hard-luck case Dan Evans (Christian Bale), who attempts the task not only out of a sense of justice and demand for the monetary reward that comes with it, but in an effort to prove worth to his family who he's let down an unfortunate number of times. While his family's circumstances are not entirely of Dan's own making, the desire to prove himself to his wife and more notably his sons sets him on the path to which he refuses to falter.

The film re-enforces the harsh and difficult life the "old west" was to those who had to live through it, but does so in the exposition of everyday happenings. The arrival of Ben Waid's gang of robbers and thieves into town brings fear and violence, and it's no wonder so many would rather lock themselves in than deal with any antagonism. Arrogance leads to Waid's capture and transport, but only after a fair bout of crime and terrorism have left those who would see him put away with little other choice. The journey to the train station under tight deadline-- all the while trailed by Waids' vicious gang-- allows Waid to unwrap the motives and weaknesses of his captors, where he hits wall after wall with the stubborn Dan Evans.



3:10 to Yuma has a lot of great things we love to see in westerns. Sprawling vistas, gunfights, frantic horse rides, strong supporting cast, and cool cameos. But it also offers lead acting at its best. Crowe falls into the role of the charismatic villain with ease, yet avoids the cliches so often associated with such characters. There is no over the top bravado or excessive cruelty just to tell the audience "I'm the bad guy." In fact when Waid does resort to violence it is seen as his last choice and is ten times more chilling because of it. Crowe plays Waid as an intelligent, if devious, criminal; someone who may or may not have set out for a life of an outlaw, but found one just the same and will not relinquish that which he's already gained. His foil throughout the adventure brought to life by Bale, who presents an amazingly grounded character at the threshold of events that will define his life. Bale is truly the rock of the movie, each scene as Dan Evans peeling back the onion skin of a hard luck case that seems to never catch a break. By the climax of the movie, where everyone else has quit by Evans vows to get Waid to that train, Waid himself can't ignore the lengths one man has gone through for deserved respect. It is impossible not t root for Evans and want him to succeed. Bale turns in great performances as standard, but here may be one of his best.

Modern westerns may come few and far between, 3:10 to Yuma delivers so much of what we love it more than makes up for the wait.