All the Pretty Horses
for violence and some sexuality.
Reviewed by: David Mathis
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teens Adults |
| Genre: | Western Romance Drama |
| Length: | 1 hr. 56 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2000 |
| USA Release: |
December 25, 2000 |
| Featuring | Matt Damon, Henry Thomas, Penélope Cruz, Lucas Black, Robert Patrick |
| Director |
Billy Bob Thornton |
| Producer | Mike Nichols |
| Distributor |
“All the Pretty Horses” is an excellent movie with a western setting which takes a worldview at justice and love.
At the ending of World War II, rough riders Matt Damon and Henry Thomas ride from Texas to Mexico to work with horses. Mexican love interest Penélope Cruz, the daughter of a ranch owner, catches the Damon’s cowboy eyes and an affair quickly escalates. The torrid affair leads a disapproving family to stop it.
The film will serve as a springboard to look at the competing worldviews of the Christian vs. the world. Christians will have much to discuss after the film is over. Of special interest will be the moral decisions which are chosen and the discussions of God and Heaven and Hell.
Objectionable to some Christians will be the premarital affair between Cruz and Damon. However, the story line requires it and the film shows very little nudity. Included are two violent murders, some violence and intense scenes.
This movie is recommended for those 16 and older. Older teens should see this movie with other Christians or parents.
The sexual scenes are underplayed but I believe did little to show what a true relationship is really about. Too bad, it was the only weakness of the movie. I loved the final words of the narrator. “I believe that God does watch over us, if he didn’t, I don’t see how we could get through each day.” How true, how true.
Is there something that we Christians can learn from this movie? I think so, and the narrators last words are it. The movie shows life as it is and depicts well the difficult decisions we must all make. I recommend this to all mature viewers. My Ratings: [Better than Average / 5]