The Proposition
Saw the Australian western "The Proposition" last night. Just out on DVD over here. Screenplay & soundtrack by Nick Cave. Strong strong stuff.
I find Nick Cave's apocalyptic style a bit overwrought at times, but not in this flick. Cave has written some magic dialog for this movie. There are echos of Heart of Darkness, Apocalypse Now, Dylan's Masked & Anonymous, and Greek tragedy in here. My pick: John Hurt's performance as the eloquent bounty hunter Jellon Lamb.
Jellon Lamb: Forgive me, sir, but I've been stuck here with no one but this sorry sack of Hibernian pig shit for conversation. Poor, poor Dan O'Reilly. Sit, sir. Drink with me.
[Charlie cocks his gun and points it to Lamb]
Charlie Burns: One more crack about the Irish, Mr. Lamb, and I'll shoot you. Am I clear?
Jellon Lamb: Oh, as the waters of Ennis, sir. Let us drink, then, to the Irish. No finer race of men have ever... peeled a potato.
[Charlie cocks his gun again and points it to Lamb]
Charlie Burns: Do you pray, Mr. Lamb?
Oh, and not to forget the great soundtrack, its almost like one of the characters in the movie...