Unforgiven

Over the years Hollywood, and the audience that it entertains, has been fascinated with films about the old West, whether the stories being told were fact or fiction. The true stars of the westerns are few and far between, but Clint Eastwood stands at the top of the heap with few counterparts. This movie just adds another layer to that; already extensive persona that he has developed over the years with the characters that he has played. The main focus of this film is in the underlying story of how, even at the time that the events were taking place, that the truth about people and their actions were distorted for the public's benefit, and that true redemption comes from within not from without. A farmer's past life catches up with him when a young man rides in to ask for his help in shooting down two cowboys that attacked and cut up a prostitute in small Wyoming town. There are no pulled punches with this film, the costumes that all of the actors wear look as authentic as can be, along with the firearms that are used. You can tell that a lot of effort went into research to make sure that everything was just right. At the beginning and end of the film there are short text pieces that are scrolled on the screen, to give the audience a little more background on the main character. But it does something else, it gives you the impression that what you are about to see is a part of history, not just another piece of fiction, and this helps with the believability of the story.
Seeing Eastwood as the aged gunfighter trying to stay on the straight path of good is wonderful to watch. As the movie progresses you see that his character has, and hasn't, changed that much and the world still needs men of his stature to keep things balanced. After watching the film you can see why it won the four Academy Awards in 1992, the actors are great in their roles and the story itself is just enhanced by them all, and once again Eastwood has shown why he is one of the best directors in the business.