Karry
Best movie of this year hands down!
Lightdeossk
Captivating movie !
Dynamixor
The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.
Darin
One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
Martin Bradley
We've been down this road before and to better effect but "The Outsider", a made-for-television variation on both "Shane" and "Witness", isn't at all bad. Naomi Watts, (excellent), is the Mennonite widow who takes in a wounded gunfighter, (Timothy Daly), who in turn helps her in her battle with the men who murdered her husband and naturally they fall in love, much to the displeasure of her family and community. It's fairly conventional but it's well acted and it's entertaining. The director was Randa Haines, who made "Children of a Lesser God", and a good supporting cast includes the Carradine brothers, David and Keith.
bfd21552
Not bad at allThinly veiled re-spreading (Mennonites instead of Mormons?) of Zane Grey's "Riders of the Purple Sage"--previously made into at least five films . . . Naomi Watts and others do a more-than-passable job of carrying off this version--despite a contrived happy ending for starry-eyed teens and readers of romance novellas. Indeed, it is the acting that makes this one a better-than-average (for modern westerns) effort. The 1941, George Montgomery film is notably more revealing of social and religious conflicts and dogmas than any of the later films--under whatever title and despite their somewhat dubious originality. Still, perhaps these works fall into the category of "imitatio" rather than straight copying?--at least one may always hope!
kastellos
I tend to over-rate mushy romances, but I think I am being more objective than usual in saying that this is a very good one. The story line is predictable: the religious nice widow with a small boy is attracted to the not so nice bad man (i.e.,"Nice girls like bad boys."). Compounding this formula is the son who is drawn to the man.This is all the more reason that I rate this film so highly; even though it is an old formula, it WORKS in this movie. The viewer very much wants the two to get together and you want them to "live happily ever after." Two reasons this works so well are Daly and Watts. They exude a strong chemistry and are very good actors and therefore they pull if off, moreover they have never looked better.Even though it was (I believe) a "to video and TV" release, I highly recommend it.
jackiwhitford
Timothy Daly (of Wings fame) and Naomi Watts star in what appears at first glance to be a remake of Angel and the Badman (John Wayne and Gail Russell.) I have to say I love both movies for the same reasons. Faith and love can get you through any hardship you might face.Johnny Gault is a world weary gunslinger who believes in his gun and nothing else. Rebecca Yodder belongs to a religious sect (The Plain People) who have strict rules for women and shun anything that may lead them to shame – including any kind of music.Rebecca's husband is murdered and her son and brother harassed by the local sheriff and his men for her land. Johnny arrives in the blazing sun and drops at her feet. She tends to him and he stays to help with the sheep and the farm.The difference between Angel and the Badman and The Outsider, is that you actually see Rebecca's family and the community shun her as she begins to question her love for Johnny and the freedom it brings. At the same time, Johnny must deal with his past and with the present issue of the sheriff and his men threatening his newly adopted family.What I really loved about this movie is the rhythm the director gave it with the hours and chores of the day, the beautiful score, and the stunning cinematography. Randa Haines (Children of a Lesser God, Hill Street Blues, The Ron Clark Story) assembled a cast that provides the emotional tension and drama that makes this movie worth watching. The chemistry between Daly and Watts is on target, and Daly will definitely make your heart beat a little faster. Keith Carradine plays a suitor and David Carradine plays the town doctor. John Noble (Lord of the Rings) plays the sheriff.If you enjoy collecting westerns, especially romantic ones – this one is a keeper.A bit of trivia: The haunting music you hear in the background of the movie is mostly Norwegian folk songs. Two of the songs sung – Bla Tonar Fra Lom and Jenta I Sauflokken can be found on the Nordisk Sang CD featuring various artists. There were no known Norwegian settlements in the US that were Amish, Mennonites or Quakers. Norwegian settlers were most likely Lutheran. The beautiful music still fits the movie and the mood. The movie, as most of you know is based on the historical romance The Outsider by author Penelope Williamson.
