The Proposition (2005)

[moviemaniac]

Just watched it a few hours ago. Probably the best movie of the year, in my opinion. Guy Pearce and Ray Winstone are absolutely superb.
5/5

[animatedude]

i fuckin' loved it.i didn't expect to.

btw, did you notice how beautiful that scene  when Guy Pearce was looking at the sky and it was so blue.that looked amazing.

[moviemaniac]

i fuckin' loved it.i didn't expect to.

btw, did you notice how beautiful that scene  when Guy Pearce was looking at the sky and it was so blue.that looked amazing.

That scene was amazing, but my favorite scene has to be the introduction to Danny Huston's character.

[cinemaster]

... Probably the best movie of the year, in my opinion...

wow, you guys are throwing around big words  ... c'mon it's still 3 months left of the year ... enough time for more movies which can blow your mind. 

THE PROPOSITION is a very  good film indeed, beautifully shot, but I've already seen very good stuff, even better then the aforementioned film (e.g. Shadowless Sword)... but hey that can change as I think I'll have at least 60 more movies to watch this year (estimation based on previous viewing habits) ...

I hope you can enjoy more good stuff the next months ...

[kaytee]

Dont know if this is the best movie of the year, but it is certainly one dirty, gory, gritty Australian Western.

The movie tells a simple tale of complicated relationships between brothers, spouses, and the opposite sides of the law. The story is really simple but it is the characterization of the lead actors that makes this movie work. Yes the visuals are all great but I love how every character in the movie is so well defined.

All the actors are great - Ray Winstone Guy Pearce, Danny Houston, Emily Watson and John Hurt.

Guy Pearce is one of the most underrated actors around. He has done some great movies but never gets his share of praise. He just keeps delivering what is expected of him and carries on without an fuss. His subdued performance of a man who is looking for a reason to kill his brother is great.

Danny Houston's eyes and his worn down clothes make him the perfect devil that everyone claims he is. But he like anyone else will do anything for family which eventually gets him as he crosses the limit.

But the performance that stands out is Ray Winstone as Capt. Stanley. I love his performance as we see a man who has every intention of taming Australia by all means available, but is on the tip of a balance between lawman and killer. We see the gentle side of him, where he let's down his guard when around his wife, and the gritty side of him when he is dealing with Guy Pearce in the opening scene. We can all see that the only reason holding him back from being a wicked outlaw is his wife who he dearly loves and Ray Winstone portrays that image to perfection.

4.5/5

[madali]

The Proposition (Hillcoat, 2005)
IMDB Link

"Australia. What fresh hell is this?"

The movie is set in 1880s, in the Australian Outbacks. As per wikipedia, Outbacks is the rural & arid areas of Australia. The more you know.

This movie is dark, dark, dark. A sheriff (sort of, the law is basically ruled by either criminals or mobs) is given the task of catching the Burns brothers. The brothers are responsible for killing and raping, although we never really know how it happened or what roles the brothers played in this. Reading this you might think it is an easy case of good vs evil, but fuck if I know, who is what in this movie. The sheriff (Ray Winstone) seems like a bad guy at first with his heavy-handness and his brutality, but then we see a gentler side of him as the movie progresses. He has captured two of the brothers, one of them being a scared, teenager, the other being long-haired, bearded Charlie Burns, played by Guy Pearce, and if you are like me and still have the bad taste of “Time Machine” in your mouth, then Pearce more than redeems himself here. The sheriff mainly wants the third brother, so he offers a proposition to Charlie. Find your older brother and kill him, or we’ll hang your younger brother. You have a week’s time. Charlie rides off.

And we are in the middle of this conflicting, confusing morality tale. It is a harsh world, filled with unflinching violence and actions. The landscape is empty and beautiful, and the people are dirty. Visuals like this are rare, because everyone usually seems clean in movies like this, but here, clothes are dirty and flies are on everyone’s faces. Even a good-looking guy like Guy Pearce looks like he won’t be allowed in trendy restaurants.

I’d want to say one of the best westerns, but Australia isn’t exactly in the west is it?

Also, one last note. The music is by Nick Cave. I’ll admit I’m not very familiar with Cave’s work, but I am familiar with his acclaim. And listening to this movie, I’m not surprised. The music here is excellent.

4/5

[madali]

Guys, dont let this fall through the cracks.

[kaytee]

I agree Mad, one excellent movie which everyone should watch...one kickass Ray Winstone, Guy Pearce, but Danny Houston steals the show for me as the bad ass brother.

[ayaa1977]

Very grim story in a harsh land filled with harsh people. This film is one of the most difficult films you would see. So if you are looking for a pure entertainment, this film is not for you. The white man came to Australia to civilize the savages, but who is really the civil and who is the savage? Is it civilization or is it only the facade of it? Is there a room for innocence and moral high ground in such a land? These are the questions this fascinating film asks, and it's clear for us what the answer is.

Apart from John Hurt’s over the top performance, everyone else bring his and her top game to the table, and special nod to young Richard Wilson who plays a heartbreaking turn of the captive outlaw. His genuine fear breaks your heart. He is like wounded dear thrown in the lion’s din. The music as Mad mentioned is just as good, and my god how great is the photography in this film. It show you how big and unforgiving the dessert is, and how death is lurking everywhere. This film is not for the faint of heart, but it is a great cinema nonetheless.

"Samuel Stote: What's a misanthrope, Arthur?
Two Bob: Some bugger who fuckin' hates every other bugger.
Samuel Stote: Hey, I didn't ask you, you black bastard
Arthur Burns: He's right Samuel. A misanthrope is one who hates humanity.
Samuel Stote: Is that what we are, misanthropes?
Arthur Burns: Good lord no. We're a family.

My Rating: 4/5

[ozzylogic]

I recall watching this excellent film.