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Classic Westerns often tell stories of redemption and retribution—of the guys in white hats facing off against the guys in black hats in a gunfight to the death. And director Jeymes Samuel’s The Harder They Fall plays on those old Western themes while bringing its own unique style.
The Harder They Fall follows outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) on a quest for revenge. When he was just a boy, Nat watched as Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) killed his parents. For years, he’s tracked down Buck’s men, exacting his revenge. And when he finds out that Buck has been released from prison, he sets out to finish what he started. But while Nat believes that he needs to face his enemy alone, he finds himself joined by his loyal gang and a couple of unexpected allies.
Though Nat ends up riding through the wilderness to the classic Old West town of Redwood, which is controlled by Buck and his gang, the story that plays out here isn’t a traditional Western. Instead of quiet and deliberately paced, it’s loud and wild, with an upbeat soundtrack that features everything from jazzy numbers to reggae tunes.
There are no black hats and white hats here, either. Buck may strike fear in the hearts of the people of Redwood, and Nat may be determined to bring him down, but his motives aren’t exactly altruistic. This is the story of one ruthless, cold-blooded outlaw and another outlaw who’s maybe not quite as ruthless and cold-blooded.
While the story comes down to these two men, though, there’s more here than just one man’s lonely quest for revenge. The story is more layered—and more colorful. Nat ends up with his friends by his side—the ruthless, the arrogant, the strong-willed outlaws who ride alongside him. But he’s also joined by the woman he loves, Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beets), a strong, determined woman who’s built a successful business—and who fearlessly marches into Buck’s town to gather information about the enemy. All of the supporting characters—both Nat’s gang and Buck’s—give the story its personality. And while the settings and the costumes give everything an old Western feel, it just feels a little bit…wilder.
Of course, fans of traditional Westerns may be put off by the unique style of The Harder They Fall. But the classic touches mixed with the updated twists make it an entertaining Wild West adventure.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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