Director: James Mangold
Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale and Peter Fonda
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many filmmakers in Hollywood are as bold as James Mangold. Since rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Mangold has made many powerful movies. Whether it’s country singers, Formula 1 drivers or women with mental disorders, the filmmaker has created movies about countless strong characters. Arguably, Mangold’s finest strength as a filmmaker has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those directors which has always had unique styles of making movies. A director with strong commitment to his craft, Mangold has been an icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to craft characters that are compelling, Mangold has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is most known making films in the biopic genre, Mangold has proven he can make commemorated films with a high degree of stamina. Throughout a lasting career, Mangold has made many great movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Mangold and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “3:10 to Yuma” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2007, Mangold’s film has stood the test of time as a western classic. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best westerns ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Russell Crowe, who portrays a gun-slinging hero that faces sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “3:10 to Yuma” a timeless classic is its strong appeal. Unlike most westerns, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. An engaging western classic, there are many strong reasons why “3:10 to Yuma” is a film that’s definitely worth watching.
Set in 1800’s Arizona, “3:10 to Yuma” follows an outlaw that engages in a life of crime that causes trauma. Russell Crowe portrays Ben Wade, a gun-slinging outlaw that experiences sorrow. Wade is a dangerous outlaw that has taken over the Southern Railroad seeking to commit crimes that are consequential. Wade has often gotten away with committing crime without facing a price to pay. However, Wade’s life drastically changes when he hunted by a sheriff causing disaster. Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is a dedicated Civil War veteran seeking to resolve crimes in his town causing tension. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Ben soon begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible to overcome crimes causing disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Ben questions whether he can ever find place in an Arizona town that causes trauma.
James Mangold is a newcomer towards stories of westerns. Before he directed “3:10 to Yuma”, Mangold had never made a film about western heroes facing adversity. It was the filmmaker’s first attempts to capture the lives of outlaws in western prairie, but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Mangold captures a hero that embarks on a journey to catch an outlaw causing catastrophe. Inspired by Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, Mangold deftly uses point of view shots to capture tensions that outlaws are enduring. For instance, point of view shots enhance the confrontation scene. During this intense scene, Ben has a confrontation with Dan causing him to face tensions. Through point of view shots, Mangold created a portrait of western heroes audiences could relate to. Point of view shots are tricky techniques to use in films. As “Walk the Line” suggested, POV shots elevate commemorated music biopics about country singers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through strong visuals, Mangold captures tensions commemorated heroes in westerns are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “3:10 to Yuma” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Mangold effectively uses the set design of trains to capture the lives of outlaws that decline. Throughout the movie, Mangold efficiently uses the production design of trains to capture the lives of western heroes facing adversities. For instance, the production of the train enhances the action sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Ben has an intense confrontation with Dan in a train that caused catastrophe. Through the set design of trains, Mangold creates a portrait of outlaws which is engrossing. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Marco Beltrami’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the burden that outlaws bear. Through compelling production, Mangold captures the lives of outlaws facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “3:10 to Yuma” is a western that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses parallel storytelling to capture tensions outlaws are enduring. Throughout the movie, Mangold switches back and forth between two timelines: Ben’s journey as an outlaw and his Dan’s quest to resolve crimes in his city. Using this parallel structure, Mangold creates bold characters that are compelling. For instance, the parallel storytelling elevates the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ben and Dan experience similar challenges before paths cross on the western prairie. Through parallel storytelling, Mangold creates strong western heroes audiences can easily relate to. Parallel storytelling is a tricky technique to use in movies. As “Ford v. Ferrari” claimed, parallel storytelling enhances commemorated movies about race cars facing adversity. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Mangold captures the lives of western outlaws facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Russell Crowe delivers one of his best career performances as Ben Wade. Crowe earned appreciation for portraying ancient Roman gladiators in medieval epics. With “3:10 to Yuma”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an outlaw that commits crimes which cause adversity but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Crowe has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “3:10 to Yuma” showcases his strengths as an actor. It’s an incredible performance from one of the best actors working today.
Christian Bale is captivating as a sheriff that seeks to resolve crimes in a town without any fail. Bale has often thrived at playing heroes in grave danger, and “3:10 to Yuma” showcased his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s having an intense argument with rangers or seeking to resolve crimes that are frightening, Bale uses his strong body language to create an outlaw that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the star a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
Finally, “3:10 to Yuma” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing western heroes facing trauma. Unlike most westerns, it tackles bold themes thar everyone will relate to. It tackles strong themes including identity, justice and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the western genre to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “3:10 to Yuma” is one of those rare western movies everyone would adore.
Fans of James Mangold will definitely “3:10 to Yuma” and so will movie-goers seeking bold entertainment. A captivating western classic, it honours a director that has built a legacy that is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking western about outlaws that face a dilemma in the small town of Arizona, it’s a captivating reminder about a commemorated filmmaker with charisma that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to manufacture unforgettable movies which are highly regarded in Cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 