Sunday, June 22, 2008

Recoil

Author(s): D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

“Recoil”

Directed by Robert Redford
Written by Billy Bob Thorton
Music by Thomas Newman

Principal Cast:

Billy Bob Thorton - Buck Redding
Gretchen Mol - Stella Redding
Paul Newman - Sam Redding
Sophia Loren - Penelope Vazquez
Benicio Del Toro - Mauricio Vazquez
Kenneth Branagh - Det. Pinkerton
and
Robert Redford as Sheriff Pike

Tagline: “A shot of revenge is all it takes for a one way ticket to hell”

Synopsis: The year is 1860. In the backdrop of San Jose, California. The Mexican-American War has been over for 12 years, but for Mauricio Vazquez (Benicio Del Toro) and Buck Redding (Billy Bob Thorton), it was only the beginning. Vazquez is the most wanted man in California, guilty of horse thievery, train and bank robbing, and murder. He's also the most beloved amongst fellow Mexicans who portray his acts of violence, an act of independence and rebellion from the United States. Sam Redding (Paul Newman) is an aging-drunk, ex-Pinkerton detective who has first hand knowledge of his whereabouts. Unfortunately for Sam, he's on the top of Vazquez's own wanted list, who years ago as a child witnessed Sam raping his mother Penelope. Assuming he'll get the drop on Vazquez, Sam visits his mother's home once again where Penelope gives herself to him in acquiesce.

WANTED! $10,000 Reward! Mauricio "The Terrible" Vazquez for the murder of Sam Redding and Penelope Vazquez. Armed and extremely dangerous.

1861, In the small the town of Tres Pino, California, school teacher Stella Redding (Gretchen Mol) teaches the Mexican children of the village the English language. Her husband, Buck (Billy Bob Thorton), the local blacksmith and Mexican-American War veteran is fabricating swords for the generals of the Union Army in the Civil War, when San Jose county Sheriff Taylor Pike (Robert Redford) and famed U.S. detective Allan Pinkerton (Kenneth Branagh) pay a visit and inform Buck of his father's slaying. With revenge on his mind and fear in his heart, against everyone's wishes, Buck leaves his honest life to track down Mauricio, "The Terrible" Vazquez. Through unwelcomed villages, rough terrain and a detective and sheriff trying to stop him at every turn, Buck forges ahead and discovers there was more to his father than he wish he knew, while Mauricio "The Terrible" throws himself into the pits of redemption for murdering his own mother. The two will find each other but do they have what's left in their hearts to do the right thing?

What the press would say:

Robert Redford's "Recoil" sets his epic western during a time when tense emotions in America ran high. Where his characters are fueled by their surroundings. Years after the Mexican-American War, right before the start of the Civil War. Their actions are out of desperation and sadness. Benecio Del Toro's plays a villian unlike we've seen in any western. An anti-villian of sorts. One who's violence is frightening and unpredictable, but emotions understandable. Billy Bob Thorton's Buck Redding sets out to avenge his father's death. He knows what he's up against and the fear is apparent, but his honor and strong western morals drive him to not where he has to go, but where he needs to go. Billy Bob Thorton constructs a script that lets his characters struggle through the cycle of emotions, and gives us hope that they can accept their loss. Paul Newman's Sam Redding plays a man past redemption, with nothing left in his soul. He's the catalyst to both Del Toro's and Thorton's actions and reactions. Newman delivers his swan song performance under the direction of his beloved friend and director, Robert Redford, who brilliantly casts him against type as a dispicable man, in the most pivotal role. The rising star of Gretchen Mol glistens off the country landscape in an angelic fashion, who's wife to Thorton's Redding respresents everything he's got to live for. While beauty screen legend Sophia Loren's represents everything Del Toro's "The Terrible" has got to die for. Their actions are simple, but their reasons are complex and that's what keeps us guessing and keeps us thinking long after we have left the theater. Stella urges her husband Buck, "Don't throw us away, think about what you're doing." to which he replies, "Stella, I don't have to think twice about you, you're my angel." and rides off after his father's killer. In that moment we realize the complexity and depth in Buck Redding. To commit evil actions with honorable intentions are where we are left to ponder.

Best Picture
Best Director - Robert Redford
Best Actor - Billy Bob Thorton
Best Actress - Gretchen Mol
Best Supporting Actor - Paul Newman
Best Supporting Actor - Benicio Del Toro
Best Supporting Actress - Sophia Loren
Best Original Screenplay - Billy Bob Thorton (Sling Blade)
Best Cinematography - Phillipe Rousselot (A River Runs Through It)
Best Editing - Daniel Rezende (Motorcycle Diaries, City Of God)
Best Score - Mark Isham (Life As A House)
Best Costume Design - Shay Cunliffe (Lone Star)
Best Art Direction - Rick Roberts (Unforgiven)

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