Ed Harris writes, directs, and acts in Appaloosa, a western adapted from a book by Robert Parker. I did not read this book so I can not compare the movie to the book. I don't think you need to read the book to fully enjoy this film. Ed Harris has always been one of my favorite actors. He has portrayed variety of characters throughout his movie career with very assured acting. In his second effort as director, Ed Harris delivers a very old school western about friendship and loyalty.

The movie starts off in New Mexico 1882. The town named Appaloosa is under the control of outlaw/rancher named Randall Bragg, played by Jeremy Irons. Three lawmen are dispatched to arrest one of the henchman working for Bragg. Bragg refuses to hand him over and kills the three lawmen on the spot. The town enlists Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, played by Viggo Mortensen. The plot is fairly straight forward. Mix in a love interest for Cole by the way of Renne Zellweger. Ultimately, this is a story about friendship and loyalty more than gun fights. There are no slow motion worthy gun fight sequences. The gun fight scenes are brutal and quick. Just the way it was in the west. The friendship between Cole and Hitch is the center piece of the movie.

There's not much to say about Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, or Renee Zellweger. They are all Oscar caliber actors. The plot is simple and straight forward. This does not mean it's boring movie. It is very entertaining film. Ultimately, the bad guys get shot and the good guys triumph. But, not in the traditional way. One of the friend sacrifices himself for his friend. It is a perfect ending to a great old school western flick. This is highly recommended to any movie lovers.

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