The Proposition

Elokuvan sisältö ja taika eivät selvästi koskettaneet minua yhtä syvältä kuin muita elokuvaa kommentoineita. Musiikki ei tehnyt vaikutusta, eikä myöskään jatkuva, selvästi australialaisille elokuville tyypillinen kuvaustapa, jonka avulla elokuvantekijät, yleisemminkin kuin tässä elokuvassa, haluavat esitellä sinänsä kyllä kaunista australialaista perämetsää. Petyin luultavasti siksi, että odotin elokuvalta vähän jotain muuta kuin mitä se oli, mutta varmaa on, ettei Proposition jää pyörimään päähäni päiväkausiksi, toisin kuin vaikkapa Sam Peckinpahin elokuvat... Toisaalta en halua antaa liiankaan murskaavaa arviota. Tunsin velvollisuudekseni lisätä viiden tähden arvioiden joukkoon toisenlaisen näkökulman. (25.06.2007)

A balladic western, whose atmosphere recalls Jarmusch's much more famous film Dead Man. I won't ponder over which one is better, Jarmusch's film is certainly more layered, but both of them made an impression on me. I have written multiple times that I don't have a positive relationship with westerns as a genre, but if films in this genre were as good as this one, I essentially wouldn't have any issues with them. Spaghetti westerns once brought entertainment back to a dying genre, and experimenters like Hillcoat or Jarmusch brought them a great added value in the form of quality. The movie combines balladic storytelling about a ruthless conflict between a gang of desperados and a police chief who wants to bring civilization and functioning law to the remote corners, with naturalistic and even brutal moments, sparing neither blood nor intense scenes full of violence. It also certainly avoids the usual mistake of having black-and-white characters. Here, everyone is more or less dirty, and good, if it is good at all, wins only by chance. The film is also interesting in its portrayal of the detrimental character of spreading European civilization at the expense of indigenous inhabitants. Overall impression: 90%. (23.06.2012)

The dirty atmosphere, with flies circling and buzzing over it, makes the perfect frame for this picture about revenge. Cave’s melancholic story is full of big thoughts, strong emotions and sand, grafting a western classic onto the land down-under so boldly that it makes it difficult for the viewer to catch his breath. (02.10.2011)

I've always liked Nick Cave as a singer but I had no idea about his other talents. He really pulled off the script to this movie. The plot is absolutely unpredictable, the acting is great, and a special mention goes to the performance of the fly-tamer and his ensemble. What the Australian flies did in the film was simply a treat. I'm also very grateful for the fact that smells don't carry over along with the picture and sound. This film would probably have brought tears to my eyes. The only thing that slightly annoyed me was the tedious wandering through the country. Otherwise, I fully enjoyed the film. Sure, it was raw, but extremely high quality. (24.07.2017)

A bloody morality play based on a script by Nick Cave. I'm very fond of this musician, poet and occasional Renaissance screenwriter, and as the splendidly grizzled and dirty Guy Pearce rides through the impressive Australian landscape accompanied by a whispering voice, it's impossible not to feel the touch of Cave's poetic soul. Even a few interesting dialogues indicated who the author was, but the story needed some more work. It is too simple and predictable. After the final slaughter I felt absolute emptiness, unpleasant feelings and no need to watch this unusual bloodbath again. Still, I recommend it, such a rough and unconventional film hasn't been in our cinemas for a long time and it's worth making up your own mind about it. (14.09.2006)