Diary entries forHostiles
Hostiles
Hostiles truly is the perfect title for this film. The hostility that American settlers felt toward the Native Americans was nothing short of despicable, and it's one of the worst crimes that humanity has done. This film shows the unadulterated hatred that many settlers felt toward the Natives, personified by Christian Bale's character. Bale and Rosamund Pike truly are the starts here, with Pike delivering one of her best roles yet (but let's be honest, it's going to be hard for her to ever beat Amy Dunne). From the brutal opening scene, this film was setting itself apart from many of the other westerns out there. This film focuses on violence, showing many of the brutal things that occurred during the time. It's horrifying to see how people treated the Native Americans and truly is one of humanity's worst moments. Hostiles is the rare western that I actually managed to enjoy, and when paired with amazing performances and some startlingly beautiful cinematography, it's not a surprise that this film actually clicked with me.
Hostiles
82/100 As highlighted by the more popular reviews on this film, the fundamental problem is that Bale plays a racist who overcomes his racism by spending time with the other kind. While that sounds very simplistic, I’m sure it’s realistic too. The problem that I have with this film is that it spawns these characters in the middle of nowhere after they’ve had 20 years or rivalry or war then expects us to understand or sympathise with either of them. Now the white folk are traditionally wrong because they took their land by force. Now the Indians had to retaliate which is what is shown at the beginning of the film but the way it starts off as such is to create an ill intent towards the Indians from the start. It is only until later that they tell us why the Americans were wrong in the first place. So essentially, we don’t see any character development of the Indians at all, they’re just there to act as their “wise” selves which will in turn make Bale respect them and accept them, not that his acceptance matters but that’s the film. Now what this film gets right is that it shows the good and bad of both sides. Starts off with the murderous Indians who massacred an entire family without second thought then shows the central characters who kill their own kind because they know they’re wrong, hence the good and sensible kind. Starts off with the army revolving around Bale who take prisoners and are meant to be shown as men of justice doing the right thing, gives us Bale’s story of his men who were horrifically butchered by the man he is to escort, then shows Ben Foster’s character who is the definition of a racist, someone who will not entertain the notion of what an Indian is and only sees their kind as a nuisance or a hindrance to their occupation, regardless of their ideology and effect, hence the bad Americans. This film tries to play every side but has a confused central idea but a film cannot be judged by the mere idea in its entirety; the technical aspects matter and this is on pristine display in the cinematography, the acting, the soundtrack and the writing all of which make this a highly alluring and impactful watch.
Hostiles
wow a white man saves the day
Hostiles
Why did no one see this movie? Is it because a baby got shot in the head in its mother’s arms? Well...actually probably, but look it’s really good. Christian Bale rocks. It’s pretty depressing at times but it all works really well. Great western.
Hostiles
Good western-type movie
