bkoganbing

(2012-04-27 16:01:46)

Rounding Up The Burns Brothers

For those of you who think the American West was a rough place to be,ought to take a look at The Proposition and what it took to bring inthe famous bushrangers of the day. In fact the methods used to killJesse James and Billy the Kid are nothing compared to what constabularycaptain Ray Winstone tries to do get the infamous Burns brothers.The film opens with Winstone and his men capturing two out of thethree, young Richard Wilson just leaving his teens and middle brotherGuy Pearce. But the eldest, the leader, Danny Huston is the one theyreally want. At that point Winstone comes up with a proposition that I'm sure theauthorities in the USA would never have put to Frank James in order toget Jesse. He sets Pearce free and says to him, bring Huston in or theyounger one hangs in nine days. Let me make it clear here, that the Burns brothers aren't busy robbingbanks or trains in some populist war of their own making like the Jamesbrothers. All three of the brothers and the rest of their gang werejust busy massacring a settler family and raping the pregnant mother.These are not nice people, still this is not something most of us wouldhave had the nerve to propose.A lot goes wrong from both sides and it all ends with a lot of bloodspilled. If a semblance of law and order is established by the end ofthe film, you be the judge.The Australian frontier of the nineteenth century was not a place forthe fainthearted. Still The Proposition suffers from a lack of rootinginterest for either side, both are so bloody. The most sympatheticcharacter is that of Emily Watson, Winstone's wife. I might have enjoyed The Proposition more if there was a decent rootinginterest provided by the story. Still The Proposition is a well craftedpicture of life on the Australian frontier, shot on that frontier inQueensland.

danusia-workiewycz

(2012-04-27 04:28:14)

Poem recited in background?

Who knows the name of the poem that serves as the background to thefilm? I'd love to get a copy! Overall, a very interesting, if somewhatbrutal portrayal of early Austrialian life. The treatment of thenatives (aboriginies) is every bit as shameful as our treatment of theAmerican indigenous peoples. Once more the viewers were reminded of theacrimony between the English and the Irish. Not a bad companion pieceto the film Ned Kelly. I am sure the American west was equally not aplace for "decent folks" until its "taming." Oh yes, I live in Arizonaand yes, we're quite civilized by golly we've got a McDonalds and onemillion people living here! (Of course, many of them come from Mexico,but es la vida!)

(2012-04-21 02:04:20)

Smelly, smelly Guy Pearce

TECH UPDATEit says 1:85 aspect ratio in the description and on the actual DVD box...but thankfully its 2:35 ..which is far superior for westerns and ones in particular with sweeping panoramas....so if you saw the film and were wondering why the aspect ratio was changed for DVD...its not...ENJOY!I can't really add anything about the actual film that others haven't..if you are like me and starved for new westerns and don't mind the brutality and other quirks enjoy. Its not The Unforgiven or Tombstone by any stretch ...or even Silverado, but its better than most of the remake rehash garbage that Hollywood is putting out..

(2012-04-20 18:38:38)

Powerful character (and violence driven) western

A riveting powerful Australian western "The Proposition" recalls the operatic grandeur of Sam Peckinpah's best work. Outlaws Charlie (Guy Pearce) and teenage Mikey Burns (Richard Wilson) are captured by outback police Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone). Both face hanging but Stanley offers Charlie a deal; if Charlie hunts down and kills his psychotic brother Arthur, he'll spare their lives and pardon them. The duo split with Arthur (Danny Huston) after he led an attack on homesteaders raping and killing the members of a family and he's managed to elude the authorities and bounty hunters successfully by hiding in the mountains. If Charlie doesn't return by Christmas he'll have Mickey's death on his conscience. Stanley finds dealing with the elements and the violence of a frontier increasingly isolates him from his wife (Emily Watson) and threatens to destroy his life. Filled with some powerful performances "The Proposition" won't be for everyone. It's a violent western with few characters that have any socially redeeming value. Every one of the actors makes of the most of their roles with brooding Guy Pearce and Ray Winstone doing terrific work. Danny Huston's Arthur is a combination of psychopath/philosopher/poet as he lays waste to everything he touches including his own family. Emily Watson also should also be mentioned for playing a character who's life has largely been sheltered by her husband and family. She must come to grips with a tragedy that has unbalanced her life and emotions. "The Proposition" receives a stunning transfer that beautifully captures the devastated landscape of rural Australia. The rustic colors deep rich yellows of the sandy landscape vividly come to life in this top notch DVD. The Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtracks both sound terrific particularly during the action sequences and the conclusion of the film. You'll feel like you're lost in this barren landscape with bullets whizzing past your ears. There's also a very good 2.0 stereo soundtrack as well. We get a wealth of special features for such a low profile film. The audio commentary by director Hillcoat and musician/writer Nick Cave is filled with trivia about the time, inspiration and difficulty in achieving the authentic look and feel of 1880's Australia. We also get a number of deleted scenes that fill in the background on the film (one of which probably should have been included as it helps to clarify Charlie's guilt and feelings of remorse). There are also five featurettes on the making of the movie which total about 75 minutes. The first focuses on the making of the film including background on the genesis of Nick Cave's script. We also get separate sections on "Characters" where the actor's give their feelings about the roles they play, "Research" which looks into the time the film is set and a section on the themes explored in the film where the cast and crew give their take on the ultimate meaning of "The Proposition". We also get four trailers although curiously not one for this film.A powerful film and one of the best to glide briefly into theaters earlier in the year "The Proposition" is beautifully rendered in this top notch transfer. With solid extras complex performances (Winstone, Huston, Pearce and Watson) this is one proposition you'll have a hard time turning down.

ix_tab

(2012-04-10 23:26:47)

Violence, sunsets, and brotherly love that hurts deep

So much violence. And none of this pretty, stylised violence Hollywoodgives us. This was realistic, and gory. The acting was fantastic, andeven David Wenham, who was a little over the top with his Englishiciness, was wonderful.There were no pure characters, just varying shades of grey. Theredeemable characters are left in a reasonably terrible state. Just so wonderfully Nick Cave. The settings are spectacular, justawe-inspiring, and the overwhelming grit of the film is perfect.There are no buff, pretty people here. Everyone is filthy, literally.Skinny, or bloated, blood covered, and real looking.The soundtrack is eerily pretty, and I am so going to be buying it.If you see one Australian film this year, make it "The Proposition".

aussieukangel

(2012-04-10 18:23:15)

a proposition to boredom.

I can say three good things about this movie...too many bad things tomention. Firstly, it had great scenery...wonderful wonderful locationsoutback. Secondly, the acting was adequate, I didn't think it was Guy'sbest performance but adequate. Thirdly, we had free tickets...I wouldhave felt really ripped off if I had paid to see this movie! Long andtedious, not a storyline is sight and I am sure most of the violencewas unnecessary. Not my cup of tea at all, in fact, I had planned towalk out after 20 mins or so but I had to wait for my ride home sodecided to see it through to the end. If you plan on seeing this movieI suggest a box of matches ( to prop your eyes open with ) I went inwith high hopes after reading the reviews here but was sorelydisappointed. Where have all the good movies gone?? 1 point each forthe good points, that gives it a 3 out of 10...and that is beinggenerous!!!

dukesdungeon

(2012-04-03 15:32:28)

Katie... I Think We Share The Same Thoughts On This Movie!

I've seen a lot of excellent Australian productions from the 'Squeeze AFlower', 'They're A Weird Mob', 'A Town Like Alice' and 'Tim' era,through to 'Quigley Down Under' and many more. These have my absolute'thumbs-up' award.Now I have to add another. 'The Proposition'. This is a masterpiece!The storyline, the photography, the effects and, not least of all, theactors and that outstanding actress, Emily Watson, are top class. Ihave to warn you now, there are some graphic shots in this movie, andjust in case you've never seen someone who's having his head split intwo by an extremely vicious bullet or you just didn't happen to bearound when someone blew their toes off with a gun (usually becausethey were kind of 'stupid'), be prepared for some pretty graphic stuff.This movie, in my opinion, is absolutely EXCELLENT! Katie, I hope youwere as impressed as I with this great bit of Australian performance.

g-white723

(2012-04-03 03:52:19)

Worst film I've seen for a long time

I had high expectations of this film and for some reason thought it wasa British film. It is in fact an Australian film with British finance.This is the worst film I've seen for a long time. There are typicalproblems of phony Irish accents, gratuitous violence, and a lot ofmiscasting. All the good guys were bad and the bad guys were good,which is okay if you can pull it off but in the end there were nolikable characters in the film. For a variety of reasons this film is a shocker but surprisingly a lotof people like it. If you like violence this film has plenty and withgraphic close-ups, but I hated the dialogue and the acting.

Steve_of_Australia

(2012-03-25 09:04:13)

Well made. Pointless viewing endeavor

A film about how painful being stabbed and whipped and shot is and howmuch that happened in the outback.On leaving the cinema I struggled with my conclusion. The movie was'ok' I thought. But as time went on I started hating it more and more.Why did I have to see that? What was there special and original in it?What a waste of time. Hasn't everyone seen this a million times? Oneparticular whipping scene disturbed in it's similarity to the scene inThe Return Of The King where 'Lord Faramir' rides out to certain death,while back in Minis Tirith Pippin sings a shire poem, each scenariointercut with each other. This scene is transplanted into TheProposition where a young man is whipped close to death. Instead ofPippin we have a bandit pointlessly standing up and singing in a rockyoutcrop intercut with the scene. Not only does this lack any strengthin it's awkward premise but the presence of David Wenham (this timeplaying a mean-spirited high status character derivative of melodrama)makes the similarity all the more disturbing. Of course this is onlyone example of the jarring feeling of 'haven't we seen this allbefore". I am sure the makers like to herald themselves above theapparently unoriginal Hollywood tripe but they are much the same.I am left with the feeling: why did I see this. What a pointless taskto go through.Positives? Well acted. Good music, cinematography. Even the directingand writing was effective and dramatic just misplaced.

John Holden

(2012-03-24 22:19:00)

What a shame - had the potential to be great

How could you make a bad movie with Guy Pearce, Emily Watson, John Hurtand Ray Winstone? It seemed impossible until I saw this.This had so much potential: great cinematography, great story,tremendous opportunity for character interplay.But no: John Hillcoat couldn't let the folks act out the story. Everytime things start to get going, someone stops for a lengthy monologueor to wax poetic or to philosophize or to tell you what's going.Best described as a bad play set in the nasty gritty Australianwilderness. The violence is as excessive and in your face as thedialogue.It only gets up to a 4 on the shoulders of Pearce and Watson. Hurt haslittle to do and what he does is too loud and Irish.

Boba_Fett1138

(2012-03-23 02:56:33)

Mostly style over substance but it's still a good movie.

An Australian western. How weird does that sound? Still the atmosphereand nature of Australia seems to fit the genre perfectly. It's a dirty,raw and bleak movie all in one.It's also a movie that's a bit too much aware of its own style. Itoften prefers its artistic and deeper meaning approaches over its truestory. The movie at times definitely feels like its style oversubstance and it prevented me from truly finding this a great movie. Ofcourse westerns are often about its style and atmosphere but this moviedefinitely over does this at times.No, the movie was not as great as I had initially expected it to be. Ithad a more than great concept and enough elements in it to expect thisto be a fresh and original movie. It's still fresh and original all butthe whole package still slightly disappoints.Having said that, "The Proposition" is simply still a good movie towatch. It doesn't have the best written story but the way it's beingtold still makes this a good genre movie. It's of course slow, doesn'talways feature a lot of dialog and features some typical charactersfrom the genre., that all makes this a good watch, especially whenyou're into 'modern' new westerns, such as movies like "Unforgiven","Open Range" and "3:10 to Yuma".The movie has a surprising cast, with mostly Australian actors that arealso well known beyond the boundaries. Best known is of course GuyPearce and John Hurt but it's really Ray Winstone who gives away thebest and most impressive performance of the movie. To me he also wasthe main character and I'm not too sure if the movie would had workedout as well without him.A good and original western from Australia.7/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

shel23

(2012-03-22 20:27:24)

The proposition will set westerns back a hundred years

The proposition is a Australian western that is so bad it could set thestandard for how not to make westerns again. One thinks of the trulygreat western movies like high noon, Shane, the pale rider, this isnothing like the above named movie. The script is horrible, the actingeven worst, you will find yourself rooting for the flies that seem toappear in every scene in the movie. Why do they make a movie like this,there cannot be much of a audience as it had a limited release andplays to almost empty theaters. We viewed this movie with twelve otherpeople in the theater, after the movie ended the comments leaving thetheater were that this was probably the worst western ever made. Themovie is gory and all attending should be given a refund of thereadmission. This is one movie that I van honestly say that I wouldrather go thru root canal then see this again. Please do yourself afavor and miss this terrible production.

(2012-03-19 14:30:21)

Awesome, awesome movie!

This review is from: The Proposition [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) First off I would like to say that this movie is really worth it on Blu Ray. It's very cheap relative to other Blu Rays... And it looks amazing. There are lots of awesome wide shots, as this takes place in Australia. It's a really grimy movie, and it shows alllll the little details on everybody. There's a lot to see in hi-def.Also, this movie is just straight up really awesome. It's not too long, and the story progresses in an exciting fashion. Guy Pearce is awesome! Big props for Ray Winstone's character too.

EVOL666

(2012-03-19 02:23:16)

Strong Australian Revenge Film...

I was recommended THE PROPOSITION by a few people on the horror board -and I gotta say it was a good recommendation. There were a few problemsthat I had with it that I'll mention later - but overall this is abeautifully filmed, well-acted, and violent tale of family, loyalty,and revenge...Set in colonial Australia, THE PROPOSITION tells the tale of CharlieBurns, who is enlisted by the local constabulary to find and killCharlie's older brother who is wanted in connection with the rape andmurder of a local woman. The lawman takes Charlie's younger brother as"collateral" until the deed is done. At this point, Charlie must decidewhich bond is stronger, the one with his younger or older brother...The camera-work, settings, and acting are all top-notch in this film.It's a bit of a slow-burner, but there are some scenes of explosiveviolence, and the story unravels at a decent pace. There were a fewthings that I took issue with - most of which deals with how theincident involving the death of the local woman was presented. There'svery little background given on what actually happened and how Charlieand his brothers may have been involved, which made it kinda hard forme to sympathize with either the local law or with the Burns clan. Thevagueness of the situation knocked it down a bit in my book. I feelthat there could have also been a bit more background give on the Burnsgang itself, as it seemed as though their back-story may have beeninteresting - but this wasn't expanded on either. Regardless, THEPROPOSITION is a strong film that I'd recommend for drama/revengefans...8/10

(2012-03-18 11:56:02)

An Ultimate Western

There's nothing like a good western and "The Proposition" delivers the sharp-shooting goods non-stop. Director John Hillcoat has a true knack for thrusting the feel and grit of the Australian Outback in your face and keeping it there. From the first moment of a hardcore gunfight, we soon learn that Capt. Stanley has captured two of the four Burns brothers, noted for their murderous and especially heinous past. The Captain's proposition is for Brother Charlie to find and kill his older brother, Arthur. Otherwise, he will kill his younger brother, Mikey. Thus, Charlie ventures to the Outback. The large scale cinematography makes one feel like dirt is in your mouth and death is at your door. This is not for the timid, as Hillcoat bloodies the landscape just as much as any Clintwood western. It's graphic as hell. The final act shouldn't be a surprise, but Hillcoat pulls off a stunt of `switch and bait' that will make you laugh with shock even as you shake your head in disbelief. This is a classic western by way of a rough, vicious and clever Australia.

(2012-03-18 03:51:44)

Nightmarish and Graphic Brutality

This review is from: The Proposition (DVD) Since so many others have rehashed the plot of The Proposition here, I will not. Instead I will make a few observations about why I think this is such a compelling movie. Be forewarned, its not at all for the squeamish. The blood, the gore, and the nightmarish graphic brutality would all combine to make this a film that would stand out for those reasons alone if not for the fine acting and cinematography that propel it to its stature as one of the finest frontier films of our time.This is not the US frontier, but the Australian one. The Australian outback was a place far more unforgiving than much of our own West. When you remember that Australia was originally a place to which the United Kingdom shipped its excess and most incorrigible convicts and recognize that the outback was the place to which the most recalcitrant and anti-social of them were likely to flee, then you can see how the stage is set for some brutal confrontations between the authorities and settlers who want to civilize the land, and those who live by no law but their own. And instead of the Indians to deal with, Australia's settlers had the aborigines with whom to contend for lebensraum.Here are some things to notice: the relentless shimmering heat, the constant swarms of flies, the sere landscape, the ramshackle nature of most structures (Captain Stanley's is the nicest), the omnipresent dust, the primitive nature of nearly everything and everyone including the abos, endemic racism, and the tendency to violence that seems to bubble just beneath the surface of nearly everyone, white man and abo alike. Notice how everyone rather grimly goes about their daily lives. In such an environment, there is little wonder that brutality reigned. Notice also how Nick Cave's inobtrusive score augments an overall feeling of oppression and menace in a landscape bursting with both.As for the characters themselves, the acting is almost uniformly excellent. Even the stoic aborigine characters, while not saying much, do a fine job of lending an air of authenticity to the story. You might notice that The Proposition is entirely derivative and goes to the same well from which Peckinpah and Leone have imbibed many times before. In spite of that, John Hillcoat's film remains uniquely Australian and that's what gives it some of its appeal. If you can stomach the carnage, I highly recommend this one.

rogerothornhill27

(2012-03-12 18:20:29)

Savage Integrity found in Cave

This movie is both complex, yet straight-shoot'n. No one wastes theirammunition either, and the feuds are based on real problems ...if'n youraise your gun, then you best plan to use it! Even days later, justthinking about scenes... I still can't believe how real thesecharacters all seemed; their sets; their clothing; their equipment,everything ...everything, I swear that I went back in time! Wow!"Oscar-worthy" indeed! From the opening scene ...when Capt. Stanley hitthat kid, I swear I could taste blood in my own mouth, and then all thedust, and the heat and those flies of that Australian outback, (whichmade our Old West in the U.S. seem like a kiddies' sandbox!) And whothe hell are the good guys in this film, anyway!? No one is... Ireckon. Nope. Life is tough. It really defies belief how anyone couldsurvive. And I appreciate how the film portrayed some of the Aboriginalmystic perspective on things.Nick Cave took back the Western flick! No, he's done better than anywestern I've seen ...in recent memory... {{Sorry Sergio?!}} His movieis that gritty "Neo-realism", but with this band of Irish brothers.Convicts, I suppose, but I was really impressed how the idea of "moralsuperiority" kept shifting between all the characters. As motives andthe film's plot are slowly revealed, it's interesting how the worst ofthis lot lives in a cave, like Osama bin Laden! Maybe in brutalenvironments, like these, some folk end-up relying so much on their owninternal compass---more so than folk living safely in their civilizedcities---that mountain dwellers lose the context of what is means to behuman?? Then again, maybe there are reasons why some people are forcedto lose their meaning, or belief in humanity?!? These brothers havemade their own brand of integrity; not man-made laws, mind you, butthis savage integrity that is based on the instincts of survival.Cave's story should give anyone pause to consider... politically, aboutwhat it means to live in a society and the idea of "civilization".Because these characters are most complex. Each has the capacity forgood AND evil, yet all of them---in their own simple way--- just wantto find some kind of safety and a little comfort ...please... from thatbrutal Australian environment, mate!

(2012-03-11 19:55:38)

Outstanding, underappreciated piece of work

I had intended to see this movie for a long time, but never really gotten around to it. I was finally sprung into action when I heard that John Hillcoat would be directing the upcoming adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road (outstanding book, by the way). In short, let me simply say that not only has my excitement for that film increased ten fold, but I have a new film in my top 10. The performances to a one are pitch-perfect, with Guy Pearce and Ray Winstone leading the charge as men forced to make difficult decisions by the circumstances which surround them. The dialogue is outstanting, the premise is unique and compelling and the direction is truly perfect. I cannot recommend this overlooked gem enough.

maatmouse

(2012-03-07 19:06:29)

Australia's answer to Sergio Leone and Pale Rider

If there is any justice in this world, Nick Cave and John Hillcoatwould be up for Academy Awards. Cave's screenplay betrays his classiceducation and is tight and, in parts, very raw. The performances inthis remarkable film are brilliant and often haunting. There is GuyPearce doing his level best to add a new dimension to his western asone of the Burns' gang who murder, rape and generally make a nuisancefor themselves in the Outback. Pearce's performance invokes memories ofPale Rider/Clint Eastwood or any cowboy that Clint has played. His isthe hostile lawbreaker, the outsider who is tormented by theProposition of the title which means he has to kill his elder brother,played superbly by Danny Huston or have his younger brother face thenoose.And then there is Ray Winstone and Emily Watson, both acting a littleagainst type. Watson plays Winstone's wife, a woman who passionatelyloves her husband but finds his employment frustrating and finds outwith horror how her best friend was killed. Winstone is the law mandesperately trying to find a way to tame the savage nature of bothprisoner and, in metaphor, the land. Even his wife is trying to growroses in the harsh landscape.The only jarring aspect in all of this, is David Wenham. From hisperformance in Lord of the Rings as Faramir, he is a capable andprecise actor but doesn't seem to quite convince as an Englishman inthis film. Perhaps it was the accent he finds difficulty with andthat's odd because both Winstone and other actors find their accentsrather more convincing.But hats off to Cave, above all, and also his haunting and uneasy musicto accompany this film. I sincerely hope he makes more films becausethey will be worth watching.

youngadam-4

(2012-03-07 02:26:30)

exhilarating artistry, wonderful and idiosyncratic genre

This film was really excellent. It's been such a while since we've had such cinematic Australiancinema...with dreary efforts such as Suburban Mayhem, Look Both Ways,Somersault and Lantana feeling both derivative and middle class insentiment. This film shakes the political history of our country, examining whatmakes a man good or bad -- passive or active to corruption. It's alsojust a wonderful fable, told with stunning art direction, mise-en-sceneand suitable performance style. Nick Cave's personality oozes all of this droll laconic murderousballad.... and it's a wonderful crossover from auteur musician towriter. Goes to show that Australia does best when supporting the onewho is a bit left of center -- rather than searching for average talentshort filmmakers fresh from Bondi.