Unforgiven (1992) - 2nd time

Nominated for 9 Academy Awards:

Best Picture (WON)

Best Director: Clint Eastwood (WON)

Best Actor: Clint Eastwood

Best Supporting Actor: Gene Hackman (WON)

Best Original Screenplay

Best Cinematography

Best Editing (WON)

Best Art Direction

Best Sound

 

Unforgiven is one of those films I had very little recollection seeing. I basically didn’t know how I felt about it, while remembering only a bit of the plot. Clint Eastwood as a director is not the name I go to when thinking of favourite directors, and yet he’s directed one of my top 20 movies ever (Million Dollar Baby) and some others that I loved (Bridges of Madison County, Letters from Iwo Jima,… and now Unforgiven). So, I am grateful he took on directing when he did.

The film works because all the elements from it work. It’s no epic, but it’s well directed and really memorable at times. The story is simple and a bit far-fetched, but the dialogue is sharp, with just enough zingers. The film looks good, and Clint is quite remarkable even from an acting role, with a subtle, mostly quiet performance. Everyone’s good, and Gene and Morgan are quite great to watch.

PS: I still adore Howards End, but this is a good Best Picture winner.

 

I give it: 9/10

IMDB LINK