Blackthorn

Blackthorn (2011) is a western-genre film exhibiting a unique blend of suspense, adventure, and drama captured beautifully by the masterful direction of Mateo Gil and the screenwriting genius of Miguel Barros. The film boasts a star-studded cast with notable performances by Sam Shepard, Eduardo Noriega, and Stephen Rea.

Set across the breathtaking landscapes of Bolivia, the story of Blackthorn unfolds as a concoction of historicity and fiction. The movie primarily orbits around the infamous American outlaw and member of the “Wild Bunch,” Butch Cassidy, excellently portrayed by the talented Sam Shepard.

The movie begins years after the common belief of Butch Cassidy and his partner Sundance Kid's death in a standoff with the Bolivian army. In contrast to popular big-screen portrayals and mythical beliefs, Blackthorn introduces Cassidy as an aged man who did not die but chose a life in seclusion in Bolivia. Under the alias of James Blackthorn, he leads a peaceful yet lonely life as a horse breeder.

Bored of his years-long solitude and yearning for his homeland, Blackthorn decides to depart for the United States. However, his planned journey isn't as straightforward as he envisages. Blackthorn's path of return gets interrupted by an unexpected event when he meets Eduardo, an ambitious Spanish engineer played brilliantly by Eduardo Noriega. The resulting interaction and a chain of unforeseen events force Blackthorn to postpone his plans of returning home to his land.

Meanwhile, Stephen Rea's character, who plays a former Pinkerton detective who presumably had once hunted Cassidy, is on a quest of his own. This parallel narrative adds another dimension to the film, bringing about an interesting twist to Blackthorn's life.

The film exhibits a fantastic balance between action-packed sequences, thrilling escapes, and symbolic, thought-provoking dialogue, successfully transporting the viewer back to the dying era of the Wild West. Director Gil also deserves applause for his careful handling of the movie's pace, smoothly transitioning between the present and the flashbacks.

Within the framework of adventure and suspense, the movie also beautifully captures the deep paradox of human nature. The longing for home after years of exciting yet chaotic outlaw life, the yearning for solitude in the midst of adventure, and the constant combat between the wish to forget and the compulsion to remember - Blackthorn embodies all these elements in its unfolding.

Sam Shepard gives a mesmerizing performance in his role as the notorious but aging outlaw, effectively conveying the profundity of a character haunted by his past and caught between the tangles of threadbare living and the inevitable passage of time. Eduardo Noriega and Stephen Rea also deliver engaging performances, adding essential climaxes and turning points to the narrative.

Visually, the film is a treat. Beautifully captured landscapes and effective cinematography add a layer of grit and authenticity replicating the world of outlaws. The stark Bolivian landscape, with the Andes towering in the backdrop, rapidly becomes a character in its own right, shaping the plot and the tempo of the movie.

Apart from captivating visuals and gripping performances, the film also delights in its rich soundtrack by two-time Goya winner Lucio Godoy. The music brings both intensity and tranquility at different turns, enhancing the cinematic experience.

In summary, Blackthorn is a compelling blend of adventure, drawn-out suspense, dramatic confrontations, and bittersweet nostalgia. It departs from typical, romanticized depictions of the Wild West, instead offering up a multi-layered portrayal of a legendary figure like Butch Cassidy. It's a must-watch for those who love western dramas with a hint of historical narrative and a touch of psychological intrigue, unraveling a tale that is as much about one man's life as it is a rich and textured portrait of a historical era.