7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An action western about a farmer who takes in an injured man with a satchel of cash. When a posse comes for the money, he must decide who to trust. Defending a siege, he reveals a gunslinging talent calling his true identity into question.
Starring: Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen Dorff, Richard Speight Jr., Max Arciniega, Scott HazeWestern | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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.
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.
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" 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.
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