Described by film fans as a ‘slow burn’ and a hidden gem, this highly praised thriller stars Emile Hirsch, John Cusack, Déborah François and Molly McCann
‘Damn good’ hidden gem Western ‘just like Unforgiven’ on Film4 tonight(Image: )
A gritty Western starring John Cusack is ‘blowing viewers away’ with its ‘slow burn’, and it’s airing tonight (Sunday, January 25) on Film4.
Never Grow Old, released in 2019, is directed by Ivan Kavanagh. and stars Emile Hirsch, John Cusack, Déborah François and Molly McCann. The film is a gritty Western telling the story of an Irish undertaker, Patrick Tate (Emile Hirsch), living in a frontier town corrupted by outlaw Dutch Albert (John Cusack) and his gang. As the death toll skyrockets, Patrick profits from burying the dead but faces a moral crisis and threats to his family, forcing him to choose between blood money and survival in a violent world without law or religion.
The film has been praised as being a hidden gem by fans on film ratings website Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds an 86 per cent score. One review posted: “Slow burn, with plenty of understated tension. Not an action western, more of an underplayed character drama with some brutally honest killing. Very good movie!”
Another posted: “Whoa, acting blew me away. And I’m not usually one who notices THAT particular part of a film. Yeah, the story might be a trope in some ways, but the performances and mood are worthwhile.”
“Perfect feel to this 1850s’ period movie. I enjoyed it very much! A+,” said a third.
A fourth added: “Never Grow Old is a slow-burn type of western that utilises its rich subtext and visual symbolism to create a thought-provoking narrative and look into the bleak western frontier life.”
“A great plot, great actors, and a massive dose of spine-chilling action, in other words, a great movie,” said a fifth.
Another shared: “Dark, brooding and bleak would be the best 3 words to describe this film…and I use them as compliments! The dialogue between Cusack and Hirsch boils with so much tension…all leading up to a conclusion that honestly left me speechless.”
One review praised the film as it said: “I enjoyed this movie. Everything from the sets to the costumes and the demeanour of it was right on point. Every shot was spot on with the overall look.
“Emile Hirsch and John Cusack do well with the material, and it seems rooted down into its genre. But it didn’t depict what a 1850s’ settlement would be. The flags were not like that since it was before the Civil War. That I suppose is its main drawback, but it was well told and didn’t have too much violence and was a relief with some fresh air about it. Good movie and worth a look at.”
Another shared their view: “Damn good piece of filmmaking. My mother’s aunt’s brother’s nephew’s wife’s cousin was on the California trail and said this was a very accurate picture. She said Cusack did an amazing job; he looks just like Dutch Albert and got all his mannerisms down. She also said Hirsch did a great job, too, and looks just like Patrick Tate and got him down pat, too.
“Very accurate performances, almost like they knew the men. She said the story was how it happened and corroborates everything. They even filmed on location where it happened and made it look exactly like it was. Great job!
“The story is a bit dark, so be in the mood. The tension and the storytelling are great, though. Overall, it’s a great movie to watch.”
Never Grow Old airs tonight (Sunday, January 25) on Film4 at 11.40pm.