Genre par excellence of classic Hollywood, the western has changed form and content over the decades, affirming its complexity and importance. Five streaming movies from this millennium prove it.
Ever since the production system of the Hollywood studios went into crisis, more or less officially in the mid-1960s, the western it is the genre that has undergone the greatest metamorphosis at both an aesthetic and conceptual level. Considered the quintessential genre of the classical era, as a repository of the highest values of the American self-made man – think of the characters played by John Wayne And James Stewart above all – the western from the 70s onwards has become extremely fertile ground for a moral, ideological and consequently filmic revision of enormous thickness. Practically given for “finished” in the 80s, it has been able to resurrect thanks to some sporadic but notable backlashes such as Dance with wolves (1990) by Kevin Costner and especially The ruthless (1992) by Clint Eastwood, both Oscar winners. Even in the new millennium some westerns of undoubted cinematographic impact have been produced. The five streaming movies that follow represent in our opinion probably not the best titles recently released, but in many respects the most interesting. Enjoy the reading
The best streaming westerns made in the 21st century
Borderland
The assassination of Jesse James at the hands of the coward Robert Ford
The grit
Hostiles
World news
Borderland (2003)
Wandering breeders who keep the sense of honor of the frontiersmen. A world that is changing, with increasingly greedy landowners and lawmen. A Kevin Costner in great shape helped by Robert Duvall, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, Diego Luna and other characteristics, ago di Border land a twilight western of rare expressive power, with a final showdown to be applauded. Beautiful, inspired, grim and even romantic film. To be reviewed every time with my heart in my throat. Available on Infinity+, Amazon Prime Videos.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
As he recently demonstrated Blonde, Andrew Dominik he is a filmmaker destined to divide. At the time of it also made it its wonderful The assassination of Jesse James at the hands of the coward Robert Fordwestern and elegiac that sees a very good Brad Pitt and an intense Casey Affleck challenge the legend with shots of great cinema. Melancholy elegy of the myth of the outlaw, also revisited by the extraordinary photography of Roger Deakins. Coppa Volpi in Venice for Pitt. Movies that many didn’t like, we love it. Available on KILOS, NOW.
The Grit (2010)
Joel and Ethan Coen revisit the classic novel by Charles Portis to bring out all the handwriting and sly irony. But then their transposition de The grit it possesses a strikingly classical staging, magnificent to behold and profound in understanding of the genre. The rest do Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon And Josh Brolin. Huge success with audiences and ten Oscar nominations for a splendid, bombastic and heartfelt film that puts the relationships between the characters at the center of everything. With a sensational ending. The return of the classic…Available on CHILI, Google PlayAmazon Prime Video, Paramount+.
Hostiles (2017)
Scott Cooper he certainly does not make a type of cinema that is easy to enjoy, and from many points of view Hostiles it is his most radical work. The film has moments of unusual filmic strength, helped by the great performances of Christian Bale And Rosamund Pike. Beautiful landscapes and strong feelings for an unbalanced but fascinating feature film, which knows how to reach the heart of the viewer by offering him a show that is certainly not obvious. To us Hostiles has honestly fascinated. Available on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, NOW.
World News (2020)
After Captain Phillips, Tom Hanks re-teams with the director Paul Greengrass for an atypical western in history but packaged like the great classics of the past. The need to maintain social and human cohesion is at the heart of the story, a perfect vehicle for a truly remarkable acting performance. World news it suffered too much from the distribution in the midst of the pandemic, even the critics underestimated it from this point of view. Thick film and strong content. To be admired almost unconditionally. Available on Netflix.