by Amber Hoffman
September 10, 2007

The Western has experienced a dry spell in recent decades, with the exception of a handful of films, most notably Clint Eastwood’s critically and commercially successful Unforgiven in ’92.  Riding to the rescue is Director James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma, a remake of the classic 1957 film that starred Glenn Ford. Yuma is a throwback to a genre that peaked in popularity nearly 50 years ago, yet feels modern with chaotic action sequences and powerful leading performances by
Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.

Crowe plays Ben Wade, the notorious ringleader of a posse of outlaws. Wade is not who you would expect from a man with the reputation of being a ruthless killer. In fact, he is a complicated, Scripture-quoting gentleman who is often seen drawing in his sketchbook, yet he isn’t afraid to kill when necessary. Crowe embodies the role with ease and is so charming and charismatic that one can’t help but root for him.

Bale steps into the role of Dan Evans, a Civil War veteran who has lost his leg fighting for the Union army. He is struggling to maintain his ranch, the respect of his rebellious teenage son and the affection of his wife. This is not a character you typically imagine from an actor who has defined his career with intimate, introspective roles, but Bale once again proves he is one of the most versatile actors of his generation.

Wade is captured while loitering around town after his gang robs a stagecoach. Evans volunteers to join the escort assembled to transport the notorious outlaw to the town of Contention, where he will board the 3:10 train to Yuma prison and then face the gallows. Evans  needs the $200 reward to save his ranch. Meanwhile, Wade’s faithful gang is trailing the group in hopes of freeing its leader.

The pacing of Yuma is choppy at times. The chase sequence through a railroad path is an unnecessary diversion. The film trudges along initially, but halfway through it gains momentum before careening toward a bloody, but slightly implausible, climax.
 
Among the solid supporting cast of Yuma is the classic Western actor Peter Fonda as a Pinkerton agent and a member of the rag-tag posse assembled to escort Wade to justice. Ben Foster is mesmerizing as Wade’s psychopathic and trigger-happy aide-de-camp that threatens to steal nearly every scene he is in.

A psychological duel emerges between Evans and Wade on their journey to Contention. Although the men lead starkly different lives with contrasting moral values, they develop an unacknowledged friendship despite Evans’ resistance. One gets the feeling they would have been friends under different circumstances, if Evans wasn’t a devoted family-man and Wade wasn’t a murderer. It’s ironic that an Australian and a Welshman seamlessly embody these American archetypes.

Mangold has crafted a sturdy remake of a classic and a must-see for Western fans, but it would be premature to declare the return of the genre (wait for upcoming Westerns There Will Be Blood, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and No Country for Old Men). 

The chemistry between Christian Bale and Russell Crowe is the core of the film and is well worth the price of admission, even if their performances outshine the film itself.