Recent Review: The Proposition (Released: 6th October 2005)

"I wish to present you with a proposition."

The genre of the Western works on numerous levels. The most obvious, visual iconography of the Western has become scarce on modern cinema screens, almost totally abandoned in the wake of Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven' (1992). Today, any visual indicator of the old Westerns is used to justify a film being classified as a “Modern Western”. Ang Lee's homosexual-romance film 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005), which happened to feature characters who wear cowboy hats, was described by many as a Western when it is no Western at all. In my opinion, it is not and was never “cowboy hats” that classified a true Western. Rather, the definitive feature of the Western should be a thematic one. No matter the setting in time or place; a true Western should always be concerned with the border between civilisation and chaos. Thankfully, John Hillcoat's Australian-Western, 'The Proposition', is a true Western in both senses, just to avoid this confusion.

The story is a classic Western yarn: Captured by determined law-man Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone), Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce), one of three outlaw brothers of the notorious Burns Gang, is faced with a life-changing proposition. His youngest brother Mikey (Richard Wilson) will be hung in less than two weeks unless Charlie can find and kill older brother and gang leader Arthur Burns (Danny Huston) first.

The entire ensemble cast is terrific, but the clear stand-out is Ray Winstone who transcends his previous work in the role of Captain Stanley. At first I assumed he would be playing a typical villainous, corrupt and violent lawman, but I was wrong. Instead, the role of Stanley is the most intricate and rounded portrayal of a police officer I have ever seen. His burdens, convictions, fears and dreams embody the ideals of justice, civilisation and righteousness. I was completely surprised to find myself wishing the film would cut away from Guy Pearce's journey into darkness, which is as engaging as any classic Western, but I found the social struggles between Captain Stanley and his wife, his superior and the mob much more exciting. Such is the achievement of Winstone and screenwriter Nick Cave.

Cave himself holds a rare distinction for being both the writer of 'The Proposition' as well as it's composer. Better known for his rock music and film scores, Cave shows equal, arguably superior skills as an author of characters and drama. Under the direction of Hillcoat, 'The Proposition' uses foreshadowing, metaphor and archetypes in the manner of a classic novel, not a film. It is a rare convergence of artistic talent across disciplines, a vivid reminder of how relevant the genre still is and should be.

*****

 

(UK Release: 10th March 2006)