john oris

Old Henry is not only the best western I’ve seen in decades, it’s one of the best movies I’ve seen period. It’s truly a work of art, like a good novella. I’m not a fan of CGI or anything fake or impossible. Old Henry is real; the clothes, sets, dialogue, sound effects and gunplay is totally authentic. I especially like the impeccable landscape photography, the use of natural light, and the beautiful, emotional soundtrack, that perfectly embodies each scene. I have watched it a few times and notice something new and symbolic every time. For instance, allegory of the the Hill in front of the house, everything starts and ends there. Birds are a running theme, starting with “How the hell do you think this piece of wood ended up out here all by itself in this grassland” (just like Henry), and ending with “It’s finished” (the bird carving). I like the subtle hint of Henry skinning the pig on a tripod, which looks just like the tripod skinning scene in Curry’s dream. The biographical information Henry gives on his childhood is actually historically accurate. In fact, Henry McCarty is the real birth name of the actual person the movie is about. The acting is fabulous, most of the main actors are some combination of actor, director, writer, producer. Tim Blake Nelson got robbed of at least an Oscar nomination. He prepared for months just on how his speech and body language would be; he practiced with guns for months but does not show off a bunch of gratuitous tricks. Just watch his hands and fingers anytime he touches a gun, it’s artful. I love his facial expressions as he pauses by the door before going out to confront Ketchum for the first time. In just a second that look on his face says so much! It’s an understatement that Tim Blake Nelson is underrated as a character actor. So see Old Henry, a few times, you’ll see new things, and understand some of the authentic dialogue better. I love (“Before this turns into some kind of brigasee, let’s you and me settle this, knuckle and skull!”). The emotional impact of the last part of the movie does not lessen over knowing what happens, it is intensified.