A Reel Review - HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER 1

Not unlike The Duke, actor and director Kevin Costner has appeared in several, high-profile Westerns over the years. He directed DANCES WITH WOLVES to a Best Picture win in 1990, played the most famous peacemaker of them all in WYATT EARP in 1994, and helmed the well-received OPEN RANGE in 2003. He’s done it all, and this year he takes his biggest swing yet with HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER 1. 

 

In 1859, the frontier settlement of Horizon is raided by the Apache. Now a widow, Frances (Sienna Miller), falls under the protection of the U.S. Army, led by Lt. Trent (Sam Worthington). Meanwhile, Ellen (Jena Malone), and her friend Marigold (Abbey Miller), are driven out of their home by bounty hunters over a custody dispute, forcing Abbey and Hayes (Costner), on the run. Meanwhile, a wagon train led by Matthew (Luke Wilson), makes their way across the frontier headed for Horizon. 

 

Written and directed by Costner, HORIZON often feels like three, or even four different films rolled into one. There are several storylines at work, most of which have no connecting tissue other than a history, or a future with the settlement town of Horizon. It’s an episodic film, and requires a lot of patience to keep up with the many moving parts. 

 

With so much going on, and despite the three-hour run time, characterizations are on the light side, and are done in broad strokes. It works, but there’s not much to emotionally latch onto. Still, it is a marvel to see the many moving pieces working so well. Filmed in southern Utah, the locations of HORIZON are stunning and demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible;  Costner films a classic looking movie here. Action is very good: the shootouts are loaded with tension and the Apache raids are absolutely terrifying. The score by John Debney is outstanding. 

 

Acting is also outstanding. Costner spends most of his time behind the camera, and doesn’t appear in the film until almost an hour in. The ladies steal the show; Sienna Miller, Jena Malone, and Abbey Lee are excellent. Michael Rooker and Sam Worthington also stand out in the large, ensemble cast.

 

It is no great spoiler to say that the many characters are on their way to the settlement town of Horizon, and even after three hours they still don’t get there (it’s like watching INDEPENDENCE DAY and turning it off before everyone gets together). While that may be a bit frustrating, it’s clear that Costner is focusing on journey over destination, and although there is still a long trail ahead (he’s planning on three more of these), there is a lot to look forward to. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it