Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Old Henry Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 23, 2021

Writer/director Potsy Ponciroli has a specific western tale to share with “Old Henry” that’s wrapped in layers of enigmatic behaviors and obscured personal history. The story concerns a farmer in a precarious situation with a trio of outsiders, and it lines up perfectly with classic cowboy tales of outlaws and lawmen, and seems tailor-made for an aging Clint Eastwood, as it plays to the icon’s sense of stillness and ways with glaring. However, Eastwood wasn’t recruited for the part, finding Tim Blake Nelson claiming the role of an aging father fighting the ways of his past. Nelson’s already played his fair share of southern characters. In fact, that’s pretty much all the Oklahoma native plays, but he’s skilled at bringing these personalities to life, and “Old Henry” fits the star like a glove. Nelson is exceptional here, bringing pure grit to the production, helping to escalate a slow-burn endeavor from Ponciroli.

In 1906, Henry (Tim Blake Nelson) has settled in the Oklahoma Territory, maintaining a farm with his son, Wyatt (Gavin Lewis). He’s a widower, having buried his wife a decade ago, left alone to raise his child, trying to teach him a proper work routine, occasionally joined by his brother-in-law, Al (Trace Adkins). One day, Henry finds a horse wandering the area, eventually tracing the animal’s journey to a wounded man, a loaded gun, and a sack filled with money. Bringing everything back to the farm, Henry hides the weapon and cash and tries to understand where the stranger, named Curry (Scott Haze), has come from. Wyatt wants in on the action, trying to prove his maturity and join his father, but Henry is well aware of what’s coming for the household, as three strangers, including Ketchum (Stephen Dorff), arrive to claim Curry, presenting themselves as lawmen out to catch a bank robber.

“Old Henry” describes the eponymous character, who recalls his early travels as a young man, making his way around America and Mexico before settling into Oklahoma Territory, claiming free land to help start a family with his beloved wife. Those prosperous years are behind him at the start of the story, replaced with a rougher, seasoned version of Henry, who’s at war with his property, trying to keep his farm viable with help from Al and Wyatt, with the latter complaining about the arduous work required to maintain the home. With his spouse long gone, Henry only has his son and the land, intent on preserving both for as long as possible. We also meet Ketchum in the first act of “Old Henry,” and he’s a dangerous man, showing no mercy to others as he crosses the area with an enforcer and a tracker, wearing a badge that grants him authority, though it’s not immediately clear what type of law he respects.

Before these characters meet at the midway point of the feature, Ponciroli has mysteries to develop and relationships to examine, putting Henry is a difficult place as the farmer begins to feel pushback from Wyatt, who craves a life of adventure. There’s Curry as well, with the wounded man brought to a bed for medical help and questioning, as Henry wants to know more about his situation, hearing his claim that he’s a lawman as well. “Old Henry” works carefully with this confusion, playing up tensions in the house as the farmer puts pieces of information together, and Wyatt learns a thing or two about his dad, with Curry understanding elements of Henry’s personality and history. There are even parental issues to examine, as Wyatt is rebelling, demanding to be his own man, but Henry can’t give up the role of protector, all too aware of the evil that’s out in the world.

Old Henry Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a softer sense of screen detail, preserving the period look of the feature. Skin textures are especially raw here, surveying ragged men and bodily harm. Farmland details are also open for inspection, and distances are quite dimensional. Colors are intentionally muted, reaching sepia-like tones with evening events. Greenery is a bit brighter, along with golden sunsets and red blood. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable.

Old Henry Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track presents a largely frontal listening experience, dealing primarily with dialogue exchanges, which sound crisp and emotive, even with some tight-jawed acting from Nelson. Scoring cues retain warmer orchestral moods and precise instrumentation. Atmospherics offer compelling surround activity, exploring open air events and hollow room tone. Horse movement inspires a few directional offerings. Low-end isn't pronounced, but suspense beats and weaponry offer weight and snap.

Old Henry Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "A Look at 'Old Henry'" (8:03, HD) is a brief behind-the-scenes featurette, offering on-set interviews with select cast and crew. The talent articulates their feelings about the screenplay and Potsy Ponciroli's directorial capabilities, also exploring the western genre and all the dramatic potential it includes. Casting is highlighted, with Tim Blake Nelson celebrated. Please note: the featurette is not shy about spoilers, revealing key pieces of information about the story and character fates.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:30, HD) is included.

Old Henry Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Old Henry" unfolds slowly, observing attitudes and hearing backstories, inspiring viewers to deduce what the truth is as Ketchum arrives at the farm, trying to figure out why an aged, worn-out farmer would have a practiced gunfighter stance when confronted by strangers. Traditional western tensions are present with chewy dialogue and hairy eyeballs, and the writing works to find dramatic layers as well, especially in the household dynamic between Henry and Wyatt. There's substance to "Old Henry" to help it through a few full stops in pace, and the ending delivers a proper resolution of violence and answers, with Ponciroli making sure there's a conclusion worth waiting for, and one that does a nifty job pairing western legend with human fragility.