The Proposition (2005)

In preparation for The Road, I was shown John Hillcoat's prior film The Proposition, a quiet and intriguing Australian western set in the 1880's outback. Local lawman Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone) is trying to round up the Burns gang, composed of three brothers who are accused of raping an innocent pregnant woman and killing her whole family. Hoping to catch the oldest brother and leader, Arthur (Danny Huston), he approaches Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce), who had taken his younger, mentally disabled brother Mike (Richard Wilson) away from their third sibling, who seems to have sunken into madness after catering to his own sickeningly violent nature. Mike is arrested and held until Christmas day, when he is to be hanged unless Charlie can kill Arthur. The effects of the crime and the pressures placed upon Stanley and his wife Martha (Emily Watson) are explored, set against Charlie's search for his brother and Mike's inhumane treatment in jail.

The Proposition sports an intensity and austerity in both its visuals and plot. The landscapes are gorgeous, vast and sprawling with warm colors and good attention to light, while the hand-made costumes are lush and intricate, heightening the realism. Penned by Nick Cave (who also did the music), the script is sparse but filled with emotional complexities in the characters of Charlie and Stanley, both of whom are dealing with external pressures and skewed senses of morality. While the story itself is fairly simple, it features an interesting dilemma and strong central figures. I think the role of Martha, who is basically the only woman with a speaking part, is unfortunately quite underwritten, but I guess I wouldn't necessarily expect a well-developed female supporting character in such a male-dominated film (and genre).

In dealing with police brutality and criminal violence, this film is viscerally realistic and harsh. I had some trouble watching a few scenes, but appreciated the honesty with which the filmmakers approached the subjects. The racist attitudes of white Australians against indigenous Aborigines are also touched upon, adding an extra layer of moral ambiguity to the main characters. I really liked this film, but wasn't completely taken in by it, finding a bit too bare and unemotional. I never got a handle on most of the characters or their relationships, and the story just isn't particularly my thing, I guess. Otherwise it's a beautifully filmed and engaging western with a lot of wonderful details.

4/5