Seraphim Falls (2006)

Directed by: David Von Ancken | 115 minutes | drama, war, western | Actors: Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Wincott, Ed Lauter, John Robinson, Robert Baker, Jimmi Simpson, Nate Mooney, James Jordan, Kevin J. O’Connor, Anjelica Huston, Shannon Zeller, Tom Noonan, Angie Harmon, Xander Berkeley

‘Seraphim Falls’ never made it to cinemas in the Netherlands. But while the film is certainly not of the caliber of other new westerns, such as ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’ (2007) or ‘The Proposition’ (2005), it certainly has something beautiful to offer. Pierce Brosnan plays Gideon, a lonely and mysterious man who, for reasons unknown, is being chased by Carver, played by Liam Neeson. Although Carver is assisted by a couple of bounty hunters, Gideon proves very difficult to get hold of. But Carver perseveres despite all the setbacks. He has a score to settle with Gideon, but exactly what it is about remains a secret until the last moment.

Which of the two has it right on his side? That is the question that director David Von Ancken creates. Gideon turns out to be a violent person, but that is mainly out of self-protection. Moreover, he is alone and on the run, something that almost by definition evokes sympathy. And Carver may be a sympathetic appearance, as long as his motive is unclear, he has no irrevocable confidence. In this way, a cat-and-mouse game is developed in an entertaining way. The psychological aspect predominates and action occurs only sporadically. In addition, the images and music are beautiful and powerful, but they present a less romantic image of the cowboy life. The classic western image, which has already been made short shrift in films such as Clint Eastwood’s ‘Unforgiven’ (1992), is literally snowed under in the first scene. Not just dry sands, no crowded saloons and certainly no wild Indians. Anyone expecting a traditional western print will be disappointed.

Although this approach can no longer be called original for years, it still works fine. Plus, Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan are both in good shape and balance each other well. At the end, with the arrival of Anjelica Huston, the story almost gets some mini-surrealistic touches and that may not work for everyone. On the other hand, a little experiment is always to be admired and it gives the film that little bit more weight to hold its own in all those new westerns.