Review of The Proposition (2005) by Kenr — 08 Aug 2019

This is an Aussie copy of an ‘oater’ – an outback ‘western’ with stylish photography to lure the tourist trade – accompanied by the now expected ‘borrowings’ from Tarantino and Spaghetti Leone.

It’s a blood-spattered story scratched out by Nick Cave (possibly between one of several dry-out sessions) and offers a range of utterly despicable characters. Some of whom seem to change personas along with scenes changes as they navigate gaping holes in credibility, and much crude language.

Cave also penned some forgettable songs that tend to add little, Warren Ellis’s score though, comes across a little better. Director John Hillcoat (Ghosts of the Civil Dead) seems more intent on creating style than keeping track of the story threads or continuity.

It rambles on with slow, uneven pacing, resulting in an ‘arty’ hodgepodge --coming off as little more than a string of sadistic pretensions-- while copying other so-called ‘historical’ fictional bloodbaths.

Those who are diehard fans of Cave’s morbidity or who like style-over-substance won’t be too disappointed but many others will end up very bored or repulsed.