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Pretty but aimless

All the Pretty Horses, adapted from the novel by Cormac McCarthy, follows the tale of a young Texas rancher who sets out for Mexico to find adventure. Though promoted as a love story, this serious coming-of-age drama offers more than the usual "boy-meets-girl" plot.

Despite the fact that the protagonist of the novel is only 16, the casting is excellent. Matt Damon plays the lead character of John Grady Cole and, although he is convincing, it is not the role of a lifetime. Henry Thomas shines in the supporting role of John's friend, Rawlins, who accompanies him on the epic journey. Along the way, they are joined by Blevins, a young boy played by Lucas Black (Sling Blade) with perhaps a secret or two. The weakest link is actress Penelope Cruz, who plays Cole's love interest, Alejandra; there is no chemistry whatsoever between her and Damon. The film also includes brief cameos by Sam Shepard, Robert Patrick, and Bruce Dern.

Director Billy Bob Thornton has said All the Pretty Horses is the best work he'll ever do but, although his directing is adequate, it is hardly spectacular. The narrative becomes choppy at times, and fails to define Cole's motivation. Following the book closely, the film offers many unforeseen plot twists.

Among the most exciting developments is a harrowing prison sequence, which captures both the fear and confusion of someone wrongly incarcerated. Further, a scene depicting Cole's attempt to tame a stallion is also notable, but is somewhat hampered by the obvious use of a stunt double.

The cinematography throughout the film is breathtaking, and it's refreshing to know that there are parts of this world still unblemished by modern progress. This gives the story the look and feel of an old western.

Set in 1949, just after the close of World War II and the advent of rock and roll, it is a world that Cole turns his back on. Perhaps searching for a bygone era, he looks upon the vast wilds of Mexico as a land of freedom and independence. Once can empathize with a lost soul who doesn't know where he belongs, but running away is clearly no solution. It's a shame Thornton didn't know into which genre to place his film, as it runs aimlessly from one event to another, like all the pretty horses with nowhere to go. Rating: 7 out of 10.

A lyrical film, visually stunning, with powerfully understated acting

All The Pretty Horses is a moving, beautiful, haunting film with wonderfully understated acting, unexpected humor and ravishing cinematography. A memorable soundtrack accents the film.This is a timeless coming of age story of two friends longing for adventure while at the same time trying to hold onto a disappearing way of life. The larger than life theme of "Pretty Horses" is subtly rendered, at once poignant, elegant and simple.Screenwriter Ted Tally does an exceptional job honing down Cormac McCarthy's difficult and award winning novel, and the cast - Matt Damon, Lucas Black, Henry Thomas, Ruben Blades, Penelope Cruz, Sam Shepard, Miriam Colon and Bruce Dern - bring the characters to life. The acting is unselfconscious and appealingly economical.Inspired, graceful moviemaking from director Billy Bob Thornton, the likes of which we see far too little of from Hollywood. Thornton pays homage to the past without romanticizing it, evoking an earlier age and simpler sensibility by letting the film's story unfold at a languid pace.Evocative and beautifully wrought. A+

Nothing but garbage clutter the land where these horses roam

There is nothing pretty about "All the Pretty Horses," a film touted by the critics as the best of 2000 starring an academy award winner and directed by a very talented director.With four of the most talented actors and director, one would think that a recipe for success is in hand; however, poor execution and sub-par performances wasn't enough to convince me that the criticsâ?T assessment was correct.Matt Damon, Henry Thomas, Penelope Cruz and Lucas Black are the ingredients for a great film; however, there is a problem with this recipe, it was made. I should have listened to my inner voice when it told to stay away from "All the Pretty Horses" because it is the most boring film of the year; my inner voice was correct. There is no reason to for any movie fan to be subjected to an awful film.Continuous horseback riding through scenic settings, endless moments of senseless dialogue and poor execution of the script should make everyone think twice before renting "All The Pretty Horses." Damon's charm and charisma, Thomas' fresh look and Cruz' beauty and style were not enough to overcome the mountain of horrible writing and poor execution."All The Pretty Horses" earned my nomination vote to win the razzie award for the worst film of 2000 alongside "Battlefield Earth" and "The Cell." I had to ask myself how Damon could go from success in films such as "Saving Private Ryan," "Good Will Hunting" and "The Rainmaker" to failures such as â?oThe Talented Mr. Ripley" and now "All The Pretty Horses."Though I still think he is a talented actor, I must say if he continues to choose roles like John Grady Cole in "All The Pretty Horses" and Tom Ripley in "The Talented Mr. Ripley," Damonâ?Ts acting future will be unsuccessful and not match the success he had with "Saving Private Ryan," "Good Will Hunting," "The Rainmaker" and "The Legend Of Bagger Vance."Every actor deserves to have a bad movie once in a while, I just hope this is the only one Damon has for awhile. I am huge fan of Matt Damon, but I didn't understand why he chose to make a movie with a stilted script.With the talent of Damon, Thornton, Cruz and Thomas; I expected "All the Pretty Horses" to be competent in the presentation of the film. I spent most of the movie wandering why it was made and the purpose of the journey Damon and Thomas were taking.Thornton has never been one of my favorite actors or directors, but Iâ?Tm always willing to give second chances. Thornton's directorial effort of "All the Pretty Horses" failed to change my opinion of him. I had to force myself to stay awake because I caught myself dozing off throughout the movie."All The Pretty Horses" is a film that belongs to be euthanized with a dose of extreme disgust and placed in a dark graveyard located alongside other horrible excuses disguised as films such as "Battlefield Earth" and "The Cell." Also, I would put in my book of movies to stay away from under all circumstances. I nominate this film to go in the category of failures alongsideWhen the movie ended, I couldn't help but ask myself how a film touted as the best film of 2000 ride off into the sunset successfully with so many faults. Neither the beautiful scenery nor all the pretty horses were able to save this film from disaster. "All the Pretty Horses" was a complete waste of everybody's time, talent and creativity. I know this is only going to be an isolated incident because the cast is too talented to be associated with failures.

ALL GLITZ BUT NO GLORY

This is an absolutely beautifully filmed movie. The only problem is, is that is where it ends. Its beautiful and the acting is great, but what was the story about again? Man, what wasted emotion! It starts out with little promise and never builds to anything. What we didn't have is history with these characters. How are we expected to believe that there is real love between Matt's and Penelope's characters when they are only together for a few scenes? And then all the stuff with prison and poor Lucas Black's death. And they end up at the same place where they started. What an annoyance! And for what-some silly adventure that results in a boy being killed and two broken hearts? I just don't buy it. It would have been more believable as a travelogue. At least the plot wouldn't have annoyed the critters outa me!

Great Scenery, Adventure, and Emotionally drawn-in.

I really liked this movie. Directed by Billy Bob Thornton ('Sling Blade'), it has all the composition of a great western: adventure, horses, cattle, a river, acts of theft, acts of heroism, and of course, a quest for the hand of a beautiful princess. This movie stars well-known Matt Damon ('Private Ryan', 'The Client', many more to come), Henry Thomas (from E.T. fame), Penelope Cruz (a relative newcomer from Madrid, known in some circles as the 'Spanish enchantress' and a real head turner), and Lucas Black ('Sling Blade', 'Crazy in Alabama'). The 3 men are from Texas and cross the Rio Grande into Mexico looking for adventure on a huge ranch in Mexico.This movie besides being really good has some really great western scenery. Believable. A must see for western fans.

Moving and beautiful

Story was moving and the scenery was expansive and beautiful. The love story seemed artificially inserted, but probably made it more popular. Honed to the story of the young men and their explorations both geographical and psychological, it would have benn a tighter and more crafted production. BUT, it is better than so many other films and the acting is superb.

Highly under-rated

I saw this film today and was very pleasantly surprised. I thought it was in the tradition of lyrical and elegiac films by terrence malick and "mcCabe and mrs. miller" (various 70s films in general). these types of films have recently really picked up thanks to some much needed bulood pumped in by filmmakers like David gordon green and lynne ramsay.hence I was very shocked to see that it only received 32% at rottentomatoes. i am clueless as to why. most people who seem to be bitching have read the book and think that the film doesn't meet the standard. i hate that argument. people seem to not understand that cinema is a completely different medium from the written word and comparisons are futile. if films started to become completely faithful to books we would have 8 hour movies. i haven't read the book but i seriously recommend the film.billy bob is a serious film-making talent to look out for. i always loved sling blade but this film is on completely another level. i'll certainly look out for his next project and this film's director's cut.

It shows a denigrating face of Mexico and its bad.

When I saw this film I expected a pretty good movie considering its actors and its director, I got really disappointed. This film is really slow and long ( a very bad combination).It shows an unreal Mexico with very bad acting especialy by Penelope Cruz. No one with a little bit of culture can believe this plot they didn't even bother in looking for real mexicann indians instead they used native americans, the prison part is especialy bad and unreal. I was really disappointed by Penelope Cruz since I seen recently Vanilla Sky, and Abre los Ojos. In wich she acts decently( she could learn how to speak english, though).

Worst movie ever!

Just to be on the safe side, this MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!I have to say that was the worst movie I have ever seen in my life! I agree that the movie was beautifully shot. Apparently, it was also pretty well acted. I rarely pay attention to either of those aspects when I watch a movie. What I did notice (and it's hard not to) was that the story itself is pointless and frustrating. John Grady Cole seemed to be more infatuated with the horses than he was with Alejandra. Because of this, the love story didn't work. As far as a coming of age story, which was all that was left to the movie, that didn't work either. He didn't alter his life in any way, and he didn't have some obstacle that all young men have to overcome as we usually see in a coming of age story. It was more like a "facing middle-age story". He fell in love with a girl and then went to more trouble for a horse than he did to keep Alejandra. When he came back to Texas, what did he have? The same horse he left with and no girl. Once the credits started rolling I couldn't believe that I had been suckered like that. I decided to add up all of the losses throughout the story, here's what I came up with: 1 boy is executed, at least 2 men are killed in self defense(?), 1 steamy romance is squashed (even though it was neither steamy, nor a romance), Lacey is stabbed, John is shot, an apparent criminal is busted out of jail to join a group of bandits, and we are left with our own ideas about this backwards country called Mexico. All of this could have been avoided if John never left Texas for Mexico. Ah, Mexico - the place where boys are robbed and executed and there is no such thing as justice. Be warned - aunt's rule with an iron fist south of the border, and they don't look too kindly on young people in love. I have to think that everyone involved - including the viewer - would have been better off if John stayed home.This movie was even worse than Saving Silverman!

A masterpiece,highly recommended

One of the best movies I've seen in the past year. The sweeping panoramic settings, the great writing and a subtle, great performance by Matt Damon make this a movie not to miss. I enjoyed everything about this movie, from the graphic, depressing prison scenes to the joyous romance between a young cowboy and his Mexican princess girlfriend.

Sweeping epic ends up under the rug...

"All the Pretty Horses" starts off calmly, confidently plodding into a western road trip, only to end up in a mud pit of mixed signals. It almost seems as if director Billy Bob Thornton, in his first directorial attempt since the critically acclaimed "Sling Blade", began making one movie, and ended up making another.The first act is strongly anchored with great dialogue, and impressive acting from Matt Damon and Henry Thomas (can anyone see anything with Henry Thomas and not spontaneously break into 'E.T. Phone Home!). However, their efforts are quickly lost in a convoluted love story, in an inept prison drama, and ends on a note of false hope that, when finally completed, seems to have no bearing on the movie at all.This is a good film, awash in a convoluted story. Too bad, it wasn't for lack of effort.

sweet entertainment

A very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. This is a movie for the big screen, because the big sky and countryside deserves all the sweeping detail you can see. The acting was believable and touching, and the story at once tragic and romantic. I'd like to know where our protagonists are now.

All the SLEEPING horses

Wow! I was reading other Amazon reviews and it's difficult to believe this movie could be that bad. I've just rented it. This one is that bad. Billy Bob said he was making a film in the old style of filmmaking. I love that style.. and folks.. this isn't it! This film is just slow, snail paced story telling. Matt Damon and Henry Thomas are good in this, but their acting can't save it. The romance between Damon and Cruz is flat and not convincing. The use of slow motion and black fade outs at the end of scenes is done poorly and is annoying throughout. This is a real disappointment. A real snoozer!

Cowboy Poetry

This is the best western film I have ever seen with the exception of the original series of "Lonesome Dove." It portrays the difference between loyalty to the land and loyalty to the dollar, between cowardice and love. The story is simple but timeless and deep, played out slowly like the guitar chords of a sad old song. Visually, it's exquisite. I haven't been as moved by anything with a cowboy theme since I read Buck Ramsey's poem "And as I Rode Out on the Morning." This film is poetry; a Romeo and a Juliet in cow country who take us to the place of youth; a sad lament with bitter lessons that ends with the offer of a new beginning. It cuts to the bone. I loved it.

Good

All the Pretty Horses was a beautiful novel, and the film directed by Billy Bob Thornton almost captures the essence that Cormac McCarthy wrote of. It is indeed a beautiful story about a young boy at the brink of an adventure, finding there is a cost to happiness and a weight to manhood. The scenery was beautiful and Matt Daman fit the role of a cowboy very well. What disappointed me was the lack of chemistry between Cruz and Daman; they didn't seem in love. But love was just a small aspect in this film about loyalty, adventure, and growing up. Even though other critics have viewed the plot to this story as slow, I thought it was a very philosophical and moving script, one where its not spelled out for you, but you have to read between the lines.

The necessary leap from the innocence to experience!

A young boy will live in own flesh, an experience `s lesson, when his mother decides to sell their Ranch in Texas, 1949. That personal decision will lead him to make a decisive choice that will mark his life forever.

Matt Damon plays a convincing role supported on a wide frequency of expressive hues which consolidate him as one of the best gifted actors of his generation. Penelope Cruz possesses an enigmatic and alluring sex appeal which fits perfectly for her demanding role.

And if you consider the admirable effort directorial of Billy Bob Thornton with those arresting landscapes with opened objectives who remind us John Ford's famous films you will make a wise choice at the moment to acquire it.

Tense and dramatic story without narrative ornaments or melodramatic excesses.

Recommended without reserves.

Amazon was so right

Amazon predicted I would rate this movie two and a half stars. Well, no half star is available, so I can only rate it two. I wanted to watch this because I hadn't read the book and I knew the book had garnered important awards. I gave it all the breaks I could, but I wasn't prepared for the many ways the story developed, maybe because the transitions were so sudden. What started out as a cowboy story turned into a romance and then a prison story. Probably in the book, it was not so disjointed. I cut the actors all the slack I could, and wonder if much of the best part didn't end up on the cutting room floor. However, for it to have been any longer would have bored the tears out of the small group who watched it with me. Ebert and Roeper gave it two thumbs up. I can't imagine why. Next time I am going to listen to Amazon predicting my opinion.

Billy Bob's love letter to the Western....

This was a beautiful film, (film, not "movie"), that calls to mind some of the best Westerns of the past. The cinematography reminded me of John Ford's work. This was not a film of easy answers, but the reality of the consequences of our choices; the innocence of the guilty and the unknown guilt of innocence. I highly recommend this film, as classic of understated performances which together create a totality of theme.

Why this film is a flawed masterpiece

Any film based on a book makes compromises, the degree of success relies on the talents of those entrusted to move the story from one medium to another.Sadly, All the Pretty Horses is flawed by one crucial omission, and one only. The aunt's story of the revolution and counter revolution in Mexico is essential to the context of the entire proposition. Without it the film is open to accusations of simplicity, of showing good and evil almost in comic book cliche.This omission allows much of the film to be viewed as simply proposing that Mexicans are bad (unjust, murderers, manipulative, place little worth in human dignity) and Americans good (just, humane, companionable, reliable, true, loving and romantic). The dividing line between heaven and hell is the Rio Grande.But, in the novel, John Grady Cole learning from aunt Doña Alfonsa about the death of innocence in counter revolutionary Mexican, puts into context not only all the ills they encounter but also the prevalent naivety from which they have travelled and into which both John and Lacey choose to return.Of course, having said all the that, I loved the film. It captures the sense of space, tempo and humour of Cormac McCarthy's novel.Matt Damon and Henry Thomas overcome the minefield of presenting the transition from youth to adulthood in a way I would not have believed possible on-screen. Penelope Cruz, as Alejandra de la Rocha, is equally believable as a young girl becoming a young woman.For me, though, Lucas Black steals the show. The few moments he is on screen are rich with life and humanity.Oh damn it! Never mind the aunt's speech, watch the goddam film, its beautiful.

Good movie, if you like these type of movies

William Robert (though often called Billy Bob) Thornton's All the Pretty Horses doesn't match up to his first direct hit Sling Blade, but it does have some good acting and directing, and some good scenery work, despite some corny romance themes. The tale has Matt Damon and Henry Thomas as two guys wandering the west and Mexico looking for work, they find some, and Damon falls in love with the woman who resides there (Penelope Cruz who has some good charm). A little twisting of a plot adds to this film, and it's good, but not great. B+