3:10 to Yuma Thoughts and perceptions…

THE PLACE: parched, an ochre color in men, horses and the land – Claustrophobic, confined, even when riding in the open plain. There were always mountains before and behind – following the humans. Humans Ben Wade called ants at one point.

And there were so few choices for anyone. I think that is why Ben’s description of the town across the border had an El Dorado quality to it…. Something to yearn for, but almost impossible to get to. Each character was trapped in his or her own prison, one way or another.

BEN WADE: We were introduced to him in a little homage to Gladiator. Still despite the little bird, the sketching and the bible reading, he was deadly, with no sign of human kindness in him. Even at the end, I think he admired the courage of Dan, but never felt a kinship. His heart was never touched. Still, there was the charm. It was almost repellent considering the way he used it and the people he used it on. Every second he was calculating, using people for his own ends. He was The Watcher of the movie. That he made it look so easy is a tribute to Russell. You should have flat out hated his character, but there was something there – a glint in his eyes, a roguishness, and an assurance that enthralled. The final cheerful whistle to Ribbon to follow the train was a perfect coda for Ben.  I consider this one of Russell best roles. I would put Ben Wade next to Wigand in my personal Crowe film pantheon.

DAN EVANS: Some reviewers talked about the buttoned up dourness of Bale’s character, but I saw him more as a man angry as hell at what life had dealt him. He was a fatalist, and you saw something like relief as he lay dying. He didn’t have to worry any more. His son would be a fine man, the farm would survive. And he did bring that expression of respect - finally - to Ben Wade’s face. In Empire of the Sun Bale gave up his principles to live. In Yuma he refused to give them up, even if it meant dying for them.

CHARLIE PRINCE: Ben Foster was indeed a monster – except for one thing – his love for his leader – for Ben. When he died at Ben’s hand, the light had left his eyes. The man he most loved and respected had killed all he believed in. What a great sure shot he was though. It was fun, in a ghoulish way, to watch him shoot up the town.

THE REST OF THE CREW: All the characters were exceptional. From the barmaid, to the evil bartender, to the railroad man, to the doctor, to Mrs. Evans, to Evan’s boys, to Fonda’s grizzly bounty hunter, all became the characters they were portraying, and helped fill in the tapestry the two main protagonists wove.

THE WORDS: In a Western so full of violence and noise, the words still mattered, and they were a joy to listen to. I look forward to reading the script and seeing the film again, so I can bring them back to mind.

THE DIRECTION: Kudos to James Mangold for giving us an old fashioned film, a loving look at a way that ended long ago, while still avoiding sentimentality and familiarity. He took a classic and updated it, but the spirit of the older version stilled lived in this one.