"The Lord does not believe in actions without consequences." The New Mexico territory in the late 1800's is full of danger. When Sarah, a young wife (Jones) encounters the local preacher (Isaacs) and a sheriff (Harris) who isn't totally sane. When she refuses the preacher's advances her life is forever changed. Now with the help of the sheriff she sets out for revenge, and you know what they say about a woman scorned. I am a huge Ed Harris fan and I like westerns but lately the genre has been in a huge nose dive so I wasn't sure what to expect from this. This is easily one of the better ones that have come out lately but it is still a little slow moving. 90% of the reason this is good is the cast. Harris is good in everything, Isaacs is the most disturbing preacher since Michael Parks played one in Red State. The gem of the movie though is January Jones. For once she isn't just the eye candy of the movie, she actually has a needed part and the fact that it is her that loses it and goes on a killing spree makes it that much more interesting. If you are a western fan this is one to watch. Don't expect something like Open Range though, this is more like Appaloosa or 3:10 To Yuma or for you real movie fiends out there, if you liked Seraphim Falls you will like this. Overall, started off slow but really picked up and by the end you are glad you watched it. One of the better westerns in the last few years. I give it a B.
44 Reviews
More bitter than sweet
kosmasp26 March 2014
January Jones plays the main lead in this and she is really great in this. Ed Harris also has a blast and the movie overall is a nice addition to the western genre. It has all the right ingredients (with added female nudity, which isn't something that is a given of course) and was obviously fun to shoot.
The movie itself which was playing at the Fantasy Filmfest in Germany when I watched it, is predictable because of the known story line (even without me saying where this is going, you'll see it coming from a thousand miles). But the fun you can have with it, is still there, especially if you have a soft spot for Western movies in general
The movie itself which was playing at the Fantasy Filmfest in Germany when I watched it, is predictable because of the known story line (even without me saying where this is going, you'll see it coming from a thousand miles). But the fun you can have with it, is still there, especially if you have a soft spot for Western movies in general
"I apologize for digging you up"
doug_park20014 January 2014
SWEETWATER is a nicely-done noirish parody of the old spaghetti western. Plot-wise, it's rather predictable, without many big surprises, but it keeps your attention and incorporates steady humor without turning into a complete slapstick joke. Best of all are the very colorful cast of characters: Crazy charlatan cult leader; beautiful, now-married former prostitute who's out to settle down and lead a quiet, simple life; unstable yet nobly maverick sheriff; perverted clothier; and a whole bunch of sheep who contribute a great deal to the story (really, they do).
Intelligently simple entertainment--nothing to be taken too seriously. Great performances by Ed Harris (sheriff) and January Jones (former prostitute).
Intelligently simple entertainment--nothing to be taken too seriously. Great performances by Ed Harris (sheriff) and January Jones (former prostitute).
Mostly absurd but ridiculously fun to watch
Arit28 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
There are ways for women to overcome their physical inferiority to men. The heroine of this film, played by January Jones, somehow learns it, and carries out her plans with a vengeance. The film later becomes an absurd but fun ride like "Red Eye" with its female lead replaced by another pretty blond, and set in the spectacular backdrop of the wild, wild New Mexico.
Jones is clearly not gunning for major awards here, and striking deep emotions is apparently not a requirement for her part. She needs to look sassy and resolute in her cute costume, and she sufficiently delivers within that realm.
Ed Harris is fantastic as a lunatic sheriff. The performances by the rest of the supporting cast are also sound, especially by Jason Isaacs.
Country music heartthrob Jason Aldean is naturally menacing as the bad guy's right hand man. He has a reasonable shot at a moonlighting career in movies of this genre outside his day job as a singer.
"Sweetwater" will surely rub old school Western fans the wrong way, but if you are open-minded about crossing formats, you just might find this popcorn Western a perfect pastime.
Jones is clearly not gunning for major awards here, and striking deep emotions is apparently not a requirement for her part. She needs to look sassy and resolute in her cute costume, and she sufficiently delivers within that realm.
Ed Harris is fantastic as a lunatic sheriff. The performances by the rest of the supporting cast are also sound, especially by Jason Isaacs.
Country music heartthrob Jason Aldean is naturally menacing as the bad guy's right hand man. He has a reasonable shot at a moonlighting career in movies of this genre outside his day job as a singer.
"Sweetwater" will surely rub old school Western fans the wrong way, but if you are open-minded about crossing formats, you just might find this popcorn Western a perfect pastime.
BANG BANG I shot you down...
natashabowiepinky28 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Every good revenge thriller needs a decent villain, and Sweetwater (known as Sweet Vengeance here in good ol' England) has a great one: a thoroughly despicable, corrupt preacher who uses the cover of his profession to get away with a multitude of sins: including murder, sexual abuse, stealing... the list goes on. It's difficult to know what version of the Good Book he's studying, since I'm quite sure there are no passages advocating racism, prostitution or lying either. If he was born nowadays, he'd likely be confined to an asylum for the rest of his sorry days. But since this was the God fearing 19th century, he's seen as a pillar of the community, and is allowed to get away with his wanton criminality.
Fortunately, a new sheriff has just rode in, and doesn't fall for the alleged man of the cloth's film-flammery. You see, the preacher's men have unwittingly killed two friends of his, and he wants to find out the cause of their disappearance. Meanwhile, the insane religious nutjob has got designs on a redhead farmer AND her land... and is prepared to go to any methods to grab what he believes should be rightfully his. Including of course, disposing of her Mexican husband. Unfortunately, after destroying her life, he awakens in her a monster. Let's just say Charles Bronson is about to have some competition for the highest body count...
And as the predictable slaughter gets underway, you can hardly help but get involved as this irredeemable bible basher, along with his uncouth gang of reprobates, are annihilated by our wronged lady in ways which can only be described as thoroughly deserved. There has been so many contemptible things done by these miscreants up till now, that maximum satisfaction is guaranteed as they're blown to smithereens. January Jones is a marvel as the feisty focal point of the movie, and Ed Harris with Jason Isaacs offer invaluable support as the unshakeable lawman and the eminently hissable bad guy, respectably.
Number one with a bullet. 6/10
Fortunately, a new sheriff has just rode in, and doesn't fall for the alleged man of the cloth's film-flammery. You see, the preacher's men have unwittingly killed two friends of his, and he wants to find out the cause of their disappearance. Meanwhile, the insane religious nutjob has got designs on a redhead farmer AND her land... and is prepared to go to any methods to grab what he believes should be rightfully his. Including of course, disposing of her Mexican husband. Unfortunately, after destroying her life, he awakens in her a monster. Let's just say Charles Bronson is about to have some competition for the highest body count...
And as the predictable slaughter gets underway, you can hardly help but get involved as this irredeemable bible basher, along with his uncouth gang of reprobates, are annihilated by our wronged lady in ways which can only be described as thoroughly deserved. There has been so many contemptible things done by these miscreants up till now, that maximum satisfaction is guaranteed as they're blown to smithereens. January Jones is a marvel as the feisty focal point of the movie, and Ed Harris with Jason Isaacs offer invaluable support as the unshakeable lawman and the eminently hissable bad guy, respectably.
Number one with a bullet. 6/10
Enjoyable western
deloudelouvain27 February 2015
This movie might not be like the usual old school westerns but I surely enjoyed it. As an atheist I already hated the priest/prophet Josiah from the first minute I saw him. And him being a racist as well he was the perfect character to hate. Jason Isaacs puts down a good performance playing the villain prophet. Ed Harris as the lunatic sheriff Jackson is also great in his role. And so is January Jones as Sarah Ramírez, the former prostitute that goes on a killing spree as revenge. I thought the whole cast did a good job. The story was well written, started slowly but build up to a climax. Certainly one of the better westerns I have seen lately.
Madness in the Far West
sergicaballeroalsina25 March 2018
I declare myself a lover of western movies. Of those of classic style, in which there are no surprises and the hero is clearly the hero, as dedicated to bourbon as he is to his gun; who takes the girl in extremis and has a very personal sense of justice and love. Westerns without surprises, I said, in which the good win and the bad die, be that as it may.
But I confess my weakness for more or less experimental westerns.
Sweetwater portrays fundamental themes known to all; the madness of religion and the eccentricity of the law. It does that through two singular characters, exaggerated, delirious, supposedly transcendental, totally overcooked.
The script is very normal but it compensates this with other expressive resources, with scenes of fairly honest, extreme and suggestive poetry.
A western filled with black humor and meaningless speech that deals with a harsh revenge, for once, at the hands of a woman.
A little bit excessive movie, not suitable for anyone. A particular portrait of the madness of the Far West. A remarkable, risky but inspiring western.
70s revenge film transposed into a Western
krachtm2 April 2014
The plot: A psychotic preacher goes too far when he begins indiscriminately murdering innocent people. A manic sheriff and gun-toting ex-prostitute team up to stop him and his followers.
I liked this film, but it's really quite shallow. If you can enjoy a minimalist, high-concept revenge thriller, this is actually pretty enjoyable. Just don't look for anything more than violent action scenes, despicable villains, and violent anti-heroes who would make Clint Eastwood proud.
As I expected, Ed Harris is the highlight of this film. His crazy sheriff is unpredictable, darkly humorous, and fun. The little bits of back story that we were fed make him intriguing, but it's a bit unfortunate that they never capitalized on any of it. I thought that maybe there'd be plot twists and complicated alliances, like a Sergio Leone film, but I guess this isn't that kind of film. No, it's basically a beat-em-up video game where the hero kills all the villain's henchmen and then does a boss fight.
There are quite a few postmodern touches to the film that may annoy old-school Western fans. For one thing, this a modern revenge thriller that's been transposed into a Western setting. As such, I don't think this was really meant to appeal to fans of classic Westerns. Instead, it's going for the Quentin Tarantino crowd, though it could have used more style and quotable dialog. For a poor man's QT film, this is not bad, but I'd recommend the real thing instead.
I liked this film, but it's really quite shallow. If you can enjoy a minimalist, high-concept revenge thriller, this is actually pretty enjoyable. Just don't look for anything more than violent action scenes, despicable villains, and violent anti-heroes who would make Clint Eastwood proud.
As I expected, Ed Harris is the highlight of this film. His crazy sheriff is unpredictable, darkly humorous, and fun. The little bits of back story that we were fed make him intriguing, but it's a bit unfortunate that they never capitalized on any of it. I thought that maybe there'd be plot twists and complicated alliances, like a Sergio Leone film, but I guess this isn't that kind of film. No, it's basically a beat-em-up video game where the hero kills all the villain's henchmen and then does a boss fight.
There are quite a few postmodern touches to the film that may annoy old-school Western fans. For one thing, this a modern revenge thriller that's been transposed into a Western setting. As such, I don't think this was really meant to appeal to fans of classic Westerns. Instead, it's going for the Quentin Tarantino crowd, though it could have used more style and quotable dialog. For a poor man's QT film, this is not bad, but I'd recommend the real thing instead.
Western that's a pointless series of killings
Chris Knipp18 October 2013
This dull yet extremely violent mythological western takes us to a middle-of-nowhere version of 1880s New Mexico: space and locale aren't very clearly established. Out in the desert, a pompous cleric-- who more than that is power-hungry and totally mad and evil -- whose local followers call him "Prophet Josiah" (busy and versatile English actor Jason Isaacs) comes upon two young men camping on what he says is his (and therefore God's) land. They are roasting a sheep, which he also says is his. Though they say they're connected to the governor of the state, he stabs one to death and shoots the other as he attempts to flee. This is how things go in this movie, interlaced with scenes of forced sex and verbal provocation. Like all the killings that are to follow, these are shocking, but leave us unmoved. This film is stylish, but pointless.
Later a similar fate befalls a Mexican-born farmer, Miguel Ramírez (Eduardo Noriega) whom Josiah, a thoroughgoing racist, also does not like, and therefore kills. Miguel's reformed prostitute wife Sarah (January Jones) comes looking for her husband, and eventually will realize Josiah's guilt but will kill not only eventually him, but a venial voyeur shopkeeper and various minions of Josiah. All this has been complicated early on by the arrival of the provocative, canny, also rather mad Sheriff Jackson (Ed Harris with long white locks and a long pale blue coat with plaid clown paints). In the end, there is a series of killings by Sarah mostly, with a traditional shootout, but not much suspense. Might it be that New Zealander Andrew McKenzie, whose story is the starting point, was under the sway of Cormac McCarthy's novels? The adapted screenplay is by the Marin County, California twins, Logan and Noah Miller, who worked with Ed Harris before on their debut film Touching Home, but Logan is listed as the sole director this time around.
Ed Harris has fun with his role, enjoying Prophet Josiah's good food and then stabbing his nice mahogany dining room table with his own big murderous knife to illustrate his suspicion that Josiah has killed the two young men; and every so often doing a sprightly dance that is quite nutty and belies the age suggested by his grizzled beard and silvery locks. January Jones, Don Draper's prim, then adulterous, wife in the Sixties advertising TV series Mad Men, brings a certain cool dignity to her role, but she seems too pure to have been a whore, and her wrath hath not enough fury in it.
In France where this was presented under the title Shériff Jackson, the theatrical release was "Forbidden to under 12 years." Figaroscope, whose critic liked it a lot (it got an overall Allociné press rating of 3.0), said it "refers as much to Tarantino as to Peckinpah." Actually despite some mildly ornate dialogue this lacks any of the verbal excitement or wit of Tarantino, the terror and suspense of Peckinpah, or the apocalyptic grandeur of Cormac McCarthy. Furthermore the individual scenes don't seem to link together very well and hence not much narrative drive develops. The abrupt ending makes little sense, and leaves one unsatisfied. Some moments are exploitative or vulgar. Prophet Josiah uses women sexually right and left; some scenes suggest the filmmakers are thinking of There Will Be Blood. In fact there are many influences, none integrated fully.
Sweetwater, 95 mins., debuted at Sundance Jan. 2013 and in the summer was released on DVD in the UK and Japan. Theatrical release in the US and France 9 Oct. and the US 11 Oct. It has done less well with US than French critics: Metacritic rating: 38. Todd McCarthy's assessment (no relation to Cormac) for Hollywood Reporter: "The Old West is portrayed as a venal loony bin in Sweetwater, a handsomely designed, occasionally funny but ultimately empty female vengeance yarn." Bill Graham's lead on twitch also rings true: "Sweetwater isn't easy to enjoy. For such a spare and tight film, there seems to be a lot of dead air. " He attributes that to a failure to integrate separate narrative lines. Screened for this review at UGC Odéon, Paris.
Later a similar fate befalls a Mexican-born farmer, Miguel Ramírez (Eduardo Noriega) whom Josiah, a thoroughgoing racist, also does not like, and therefore kills. Miguel's reformed prostitute wife Sarah (January Jones) comes looking for her husband, and eventually will realize Josiah's guilt but will kill not only eventually him, but a venial voyeur shopkeeper and various minions of Josiah. All this has been complicated early on by the arrival of the provocative, canny, also rather mad Sheriff Jackson (Ed Harris with long white locks and a long pale blue coat with plaid clown paints). In the end, there is a series of killings by Sarah mostly, with a traditional shootout, but not much suspense. Might it be that New Zealander Andrew McKenzie, whose story is the starting point, was under the sway of Cormac McCarthy's novels? The adapted screenplay is by the Marin County, California twins, Logan and Noah Miller, who worked with Ed Harris before on their debut film Touching Home, but Logan is listed as the sole director this time around.
Ed Harris has fun with his role, enjoying Prophet Josiah's good food and then stabbing his nice mahogany dining room table with his own big murderous knife to illustrate his suspicion that Josiah has killed the two young men; and every so often doing a sprightly dance that is quite nutty and belies the age suggested by his grizzled beard and silvery locks. January Jones, Don Draper's prim, then adulterous, wife in the Sixties advertising TV series Mad Men, brings a certain cool dignity to her role, but she seems too pure to have been a whore, and her wrath hath not enough fury in it.
In France where this was presented under the title Shériff Jackson, the theatrical release was "Forbidden to under 12 years." Figaroscope, whose critic liked it a lot (it got an overall Allociné press rating of 3.0), said it "refers as much to Tarantino as to Peckinpah." Actually despite some mildly ornate dialogue this lacks any of the verbal excitement or wit of Tarantino, the terror and suspense of Peckinpah, or the apocalyptic grandeur of Cormac McCarthy. Furthermore the individual scenes don't seem to link together very well and hence not much narrative drive develops. The abrupt ending makes little sense, and leaves one unsatisfied. Some moments are exploitative or vulgar. Prophet Josiah uses women sexually right and left; some scenes suggest the filmmakers are thinking of There Will Be Blood. In fact there are many influences, none integrated fully.
Sweetwater, 95 mins., debuted at Sundance Jan. 2013 and in the summer was released on DVD in the UK and Japan. Theatrical release in the US and France 9 Oct. and the US 11 Oct. It has done less well with US than French critics: Metacritic rating: 38. Todd McCarthy's assessment (no relation to Cormac) for Hollywood Reporter: "The Old West is portrayed as a venal loony bin in Sweetwater, a handsomely designed, occasionally funny but ultimately empty female vengeance yarn." Bill Graham's lead on twitch also rings true: "Sweetwater isn't easy to enjoy. For such a spare and tight film, there seems to be a lot of dead air. " He attributes that to a failure to integrate separate narrative lines. Screened for this review at UGC Odéon, Paris.
Helluva of a western!
petarmatic1 February 2014
This is how we like our Westerns in Europe!
Lotsa guns, lotsa dead men and a prostitute who wins! Yeah baby, give it to us!
The only problem is that we kinda do our own fights here in Europe with many more dead people, we kinda like to copy all that 45 caliber. Yumm!
What do you say about film like that, then excellent!
Acting very very good! Scenery very very good!
Costumography very very good!
All in all a helluva Western!
Pull that 45!
Many times over! ;)
Lotsa guns, lotsa dead men and a prostitute who wins! Yeah baby, give it to us!
The only problem is that we kinda do our own fights here in Europe with many more dead people, we kinda like to copy all that 45 caliber. Yumm!
What do you say about film like that, then excellent!
Acting very very good! Scenery very very good!
Costumography very very good!
All in all a helluva Western!
Pull that 45!
Many times over! ;)
Wonderful performances...worthless film
mikefine-125 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I just saw the film at Sundance as well and I have to say, I am not only exceptionally disappointed in the festival but the audience as well. This almost entirely unoriginal film is only slightly saved by the over- the-top performances of Jason Isaacs and Ed Harris.
*******SPOILERS*********
While I am warning the reader of spoilers, this film is completely predictable in every shape and form. Set in what seems to be New Mexico in the Old West, we meet the Prophet Josiah, a religious zealot who kills, rapes and abuses in the name of the Lord. He opens the film by murdering two men on his property for the theft of two lambs and trespass. We know immediately that he is a bad and vengeful man.
Over on the property next door resides young Sarah and Miguel who are deeply in love and are just trying to make ends meet by working their dirt farm. They are at odds with the dishonest banker who steals their money; the lewd store owner has a peep hole in the dressing room and the religious followers of the "Prophet."
Finally, this dull and predictable story gets a little life when a legendary yet eccentric lawman played by Ed Harris, returns to investigate the whereabouts of the two men murdered earlier in the film. He dances to music, he is bold in his assertions and takes a refreshing and strange approach to his law duties and naturally, annoys our villain to no end.
Things turn bad when Josiah decides he wants both Sarah and their property. Of course, he just murders Miguel and buries the man and goes and rapes Sarah as to indoctrinate her into his "flock." From here, the film degrades into a vengeance tale in which Sarah gets her revenge in dramatic fashion.
No person in the film is spared from her anger. Of course, there is a shootout where she receives a minor obligatory wound in her side. She rescues the lawman who fell into Josiah's clutches but he is ultimately killed allowing our "heroine" to go unpunished for her wrath. ALL who did her wrong are murdered in cold blood. In the end, we see her burning her clothes and standing naked by a fire.
This movies suffers from so many problems, it really is difficult to know where to begin. So here are some of the multitude of issues:
What disturbs me most is that many people in the Sundance showing cheered her on as she brutally murders close to a dozen people. Sure, a few might have been deserving of her wrath but a few of these murders are simply wrong.
Isaacs plays "Lucius Malfoy" in the Harry Potter series and in those films we see a mostly evil man but we also get a taste of the love for his children and his torn allegiance to Voldemort. He has excellent depth and my point is, Isaacs knows how to a villain and yet be human. Clearly the directors and not Isaacs are at folly for this ridiculous portrayal.
I could go on and on. The point is, I understand "Sundance" has to include some Hollywood films to help them draw an audience. However, this is the first time in 20 years (even before it was officially Sundance) that I walked out genuinely disappointed in the festival, the audience and the movie.
*******SPOILERS*********
While I am warning the reader of spoilers, this film is completely predictable in every shape and form. Set in what seems to be New Mexico in the Old West, we meet the Prophet Josiah, a religious zealot who kills, rapes and abuses in the name of the Lord. He opens the film by murdering two men on his property for the theft of two lambs and trespass. We know immediately that he is a bad and vengeful man.
Over on the property next door resides young Sarah and Miguel who are deeply in love and are just trying to make ends meet by working their dirt farm. They are at odds with the dishonest banker who steals their money; the lewd store owner has a peep hole in the dressing room and the religious followers of the "Prophet."
Finally, this dull and predictable story gets a little life when a legendary yet eccentric lawman played by Ed Harris, returns to investigate the whereabouts of the two men murdered earlier in the film. He dances to music, he is bold in his assertions and takes a refreshing and strange approach to his law duties and naturally, annoys our villain to no end.
Things turn bad when Josiah decides he wants both Sarah and their property. Of course, he just murders Miguel and buries the man and goes and rapes Sarah as to indoctrinate her into his "flock." From here, the film degrades into a vengeance tale in which Sarah gets her revenge in dramatic fashion.
No person in the film is spared from her anger. Of course, there is a shootout where she receives a minor obligatory wound in her side. She rescues the lawman who fell into Josiah's clutches but he is ultimately killed allowing our "heroine" to go unpunished for her wrath. ALL who did her wrong are murdered in cold blood. In the end, we see her burning her clothes and standing naked by a fire.
This movies suffers from so many problems, it really is difficult to know where to begin. So here are some of the multitude of issues:
- January Jones' performance is what she does best. Her lifeless, unemotional style may appeal to some. However, for me, it is ridiculous. Her husband is murdered, she miscarries a child and still, the women doesn't cry or evoke a single emotion.
- The murderous rampage of Sarah is brutal. She kills innocent people. One guy pleads for his life explaining that he had nothing to do with her husband's death but she guns him down just the same. More important, she does it without remorse.
What disturbs me most is that many people in the Sundance showing cheered her on as she brutally murders close to a dozen people. Sure, a few might have been deserving of her wrath but a few of these murders are simply wrong.
- The film is a cartoon complete with villains in black, good guys in white and equally ludicrous characterizations. The directors try to bring a little bit of ambiguity to the nature of Sarah by giving the wonderful Amy Madigan (playing her mother) a few minutes of screen time. However, it is just confusing and unexplained.
- The psychotic Josiah is played to excess by the talented and charismatic Jason Isaacs. He is given full reign to make this character as evil as he wants and there is no restraint. However, here is one place a little bit of control might have given us a more interesting character. In the end, Darth Vader has more depth.
Isaacs plays "Lucius Malfoy" in the Harry Potter series and in those films we see a mostly evil man but we also get a taste of the love for his children and his torn allegiance to Voldemort. He has excellent depth and my point is, Isaacs knows how to a villain and yet be human. Clearly the directors and not Isaacs are at folly for this ridiculous portrayal.
- There are so many continuity issues and incomplete thoughts in the film that it seems hurried and pieced together. We don't really understand our villain at all. He is just bad to be bad. We aren't told why Sarah ran away. The time line and pacing are a mess(pregnant a couple days after intercourse is certainly possible but in the old west, would she know that fast???).
- We have no understanding of why people would hang out with Josiah who is abusive, psychotic and violent to those who appose him. Certainly, we could make assumptions. However, it might have been better for us to see some of the good of this man. What inspires the people of this town to want to be with this "Prophet?"
I could go on and on. The point is, I understand "Sundance" has to include some Hollywood films to help them draw an audience. However, this is the first time in 20 years (even before it was officially Sundance) that I walked out genuinely disappointed in the festival, the audience and the movie.
Old-Style Western as Feminist Revenge Flick
alisonc-121 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
In 1880s New Mexico, self-declared prophet Josiah (Jason Isaacs) is building a church on "God's land." Unfortunately, "God's land" is also inhabited by a farming couple, Miguel (Eduardo Noriega) and Sarah (January Jones), whose attempts to grow crops keep being stymied by Josiah's free-roaming flock of sheep. At the same time, two brothers who happen to be related to the Governor have gone missing, and it seems to lawman Sheriff Jackson (Ed Harris) that they must have disappeared right in the middle of Josiah's spread. The meeting and interactions between these characters will bring out their respective histories, misdemeanors and other crimes, and it's anyone's guess who might live to tell the tale.... Although I don't generally like Westerns, I was very impressed at FantAsia 2011 by "Blackthorn," in which Sam Shepard plays an aging Butch Cassidy (and Eduardo Noriega has a feature role, as in "Sweetwater"); I thought for sure Shepard would get lots of acting awards once the film played in wide release, but I don't think it ever got a wide release. Fearful of missing another great Western by assuming it would be in regular theatres any day, I made sure to catch "Sweetwater" this year and I'm glad I did! Ed Harris is amazing as the very eccentric, borderline crazy sheriff and Jason Isaacs is incredibly chilling as the definitely way-over-the-border psychotic preacher. But January Jones was just electric here; sure she looks gorgeous and makes most of the male characters drool, but she's thoroughly independent and absolutely fearless when she decides to take matters into her own hands. The landscape is breath-taking (and will make you thirsty just looking at it) and the story-telling is marvelous. I hope this has a better fate than "Blackthorn," because it deserves to be seen even by those, like me, who don't tend to like Westerns.
Could've Been a Great Western
bobconnee-964-9049972 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe January Jones was intimidated. After all she was surrounded by great actors. Ed Harris, as Sheriff Jackson, was exceptionally good, as well as Jason Isaacs as Josiah. (Many of you will remember Isaacs as the evil British soldier in The Patriot.) Typical good guy versus bad guy western.
January Jones, as Sarah Ramirez, was so wooden in this film! ***SPOILER ALERT*** Even as Sara began to lose everything in her life for which she cared, Jones showed no emotion. She loses a husband whom she loves do deeply and no river of tears? Come on! Because Jones recited her lines like a robot, she made Sarah unlikable. At the end of the film, I didn't care what would happen to her. And I loved how Sarah had an elaborate French braid in her hair the entire film, a style of braid that can only be achieved by another person braiding her hair. Could her husband braid hair? I doubt it.
**SPOILER ALERT** The ending sucked. It was not a happy ending, but Sarah didn't think to take the little girl with her as she rode off into the sunset? Sarah spared the girl's life but left her with a half dozen dead bodies and no way into town?
Maybe Jones is a one-trick pony. Jones plays this exact same character as Betty on the series "Mad Men." In this film, picture Betty with a shot gun and you get the picture.
January Jones, as Sarah Ramirez, was so wooden in this film! ***SPOILER ALERT*** Even as Sara began to lose everything in her life for which she cared, Jones showed no emotion. She loses a husband whom she loves do deeply and no river of tears? Come on! Because Jones recited her lines like a robot, she made Sarah unlikable. At the end of the film, I didn't care what would happen to her. And I loved how Sarah had an elaborate French braid in her hair the entire film, a style of braid that can only be achieved by another person braiding her hair. Could her husband braid hair? I doubt it.
**SPOILER ALERT** The ending sucked. It was not a happy ending, but Sarah didn't think to take the little girl with her as she rode off into the sunset? Sarah spared the girl's life but left her with a half dozen dead bodies and no way into town?
Maybe Jones is a one-trick pony. Jones plays this exact same character as Betty on the series "Mad Men." In this film, picture Betty with a shot gun and you get the picture.
January Jones Is The New Clint Eastwood
FilmMan4731 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
we all remember western genre films of last century specially the dollars trilogy of Clint Eastwood that still inspires many even now filmmakers like Quintin Tarantino tried to ape them but failed but this new low budget film does have some potential plus points are serious throughout the end but takes to long for climax is the only negative thing here some pointless dialogs,nudity & villain disappoints but its still worth a watch because of January Jones i have seen few of her films this lady is doing some action roles recently so do not mess with her otherwise you go down type of tag-line should have been added to the title.
the plot:Sarah lives a life with her husband in Mexico during late 1800s when Daniel a ruthless religious leader kills the husband Sarah now wants revenge how she gets it the answer is in this film.
the cast:Jason Issac looked cool though with black dress & long hair but January Jones shows some good acting here don't know why people hate her i like her for what she is.
the addition of more action could have been better why it is toned down one may ask but there is blood & gore with some goofy moments are present.
overall do not expect much from sweet water 2013 as its a film you can watch if you want to pass sometime & want cheesy entertainment nothing more my rating is 5/10.
the plot:Sarah lives a life with her husband in Mexico during late 1800s when Daniel a ruthless religious leader kills the husband Sarah now wants revenge how she gets it the answer is in this film.
the cast:Jason Issac looked cool though with black dress & long hair but January Jones shows some good acting here don't know why people hate her i like her for what she is.
the addition of more action could have been better why it is toned down one may ask but there is blood & gore with some goofy moments are present.
overall do not expect much from sweet water 2013 as its a film you can watch if you want to pass sometime & want cheesy entertainment nothing more my rating is 5/10.
Sweet as a hot coconut milk cup.
searchanddestroy-19 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I did not watch this movie, I tasted it. Literally. A little gem. A masterpiece. An authentic masterpiece. It reminds me the first Coen Brother's film: BLOOD SIMPLE, back in 1984. Jason Isaacs gives here a powerful performance as the bad lead, as he did in PATRIOT, against Mel Gibson. His character reminds me Gene Hackman's one in Clint Eastwood's UNFORGIVEN. Ed Harris brigs also his contribution to this exceptional good western. Very offbeat and also downbeat. All I love in a movie. A mix up of violence and humour. Dialogues that hit you in the face. A must see.
I wait for the next director's film.
This one is so gooooood !!!!!
I wait for the next director's film.
This one is so gooooood !!!!!
A very different Western
Vindelander3 July 2020
A really good film and not your average western by a long shot. I'd put it in the same class as Unforgiven and Seraphim Falls
Great acting all round but particularly by January Jones, Ed Harris (brilliant !) and Jason Isaacs (evil !). Good script and direction too.
All in all a winner !!
Great acting all round but particularly by January Jones, Ed Harris (brilliant !) and Jason Isaacs (evil !). Good script and direction too.
All in all a winner !!
Blackly Comical Revenge Western
Theo Robertson4 February 2014
In 19th Century New Mexico Miguel Ramirez gets in to a feud with religious zealot Josiah . When Miguel fails to return to his home his wife Sarah suspects that Josiah may be behind her husbands disappearance
This went straight to DVD in Europe which is somewhat surprising because it does contain relatively well known names in Harris , Isaacs and Jones . That said reading the comments on this page you are struck as to the number of comments that describe the film as being " funny " but I should qualify this by saying it is funny in the same way as Al Swearengen is funny in DEADWOOD because this is black comedy at its most brutal and uncompromising along with role reversal revenge fantasy and you can see why it might have been a difficult film to market
It's not a very well paced film and some scenes seem to go on for too long and the fact that there's not a lot of incidental music to these scenes means they seem longer than they really are . That said it's probably the effect the director wants because SWEET VENGEANCE concerns it self with mood rather than narrative and is a very moody revenge thriller . One does notice that the cinematography is rather murky and fails to make the most of the New Mexico landscape , especially when you get the instinctive feeling that there's a subtext of man - or more specifically woman - versus nature going on there somewhere but this aspect comes over slightly confused and isn't as well developed as it could have been . Regardless of that if you enjoyed DEADWOOD then you might just enjoy this blackly comical violent Western
This went straight to DVD in Europe which is somewhat surprising because it does contain relatively well known names in Harris , Isaacs and Jones . That said reading the comments on this page you are struck as to the number of comments that describe the film as being " funny " but I should qualify this by saying it is funny in the same way as Al Swearengen is funny in DEADWOOD because this is black comedy at its most brutal and uncompromising along with role reversal revenge fantasy and you can see why it might have been a difficult film to market
It's not a very well paced film and some scenes seem to go on for too long and the fact that there's not a lot of incidental music to these scenes means they seem longer than they really are . That said it's probably the effect the director wants because SWEET VENGEANCE concerns it self with mood rather than narrative and is a very moody revenge thriller . One does notice that the cinematography is rather murky and fails to make the most of the New Mexico landscape , especially when you get the instinctive feeling that there's a subtext of man - or more specifically woman - versus nature going on there somewhere but this aspect comes over slightly confused and isn't as well developed as it could have been . Regardless of that if you enjoyed DEADWOOD then you might just enjoy this blackly comical violent Western
Worth seeing.
mikedersch13 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Possibly Jason Isaacs was a little too intense and unbelievable in his role. But, he did make you hate him so that's good. Otherwise, Ed Harris was fantastic. The movie is worth watching for him alone. Seems that some reviewers felt that January Jones was too flat and lifeless in this movie. I can see that, yet my point of view is that she was a prostitute before marrying Miguel, therefore she was probably a tough woman who had possibly been cried out over the years. I bought her portrayal of Sarah. I also liked that Ed Harris, in his role as Sheriff Jackson, seemed to really be angry that two young men, decent guys really, had been wronged (killed). Overall I'm glad I watched this movie. Not a classic, but enough bad people get taught lessons, that it was fun. Again, Ed Harris...an amazing performance.
A performance for the ages?
czsme8 September 2018
Killings are easier to write than a story
der-808-5885743 October 2013
Cinematography was great, and the acting was excellent, but it is so difficult to write an interesting and original screenplay. It is much easier to have a simple plot of evil and good, where first the evil kill the good, and then the revenge of the good killing the evil. I lost track of the body count (maybe 14 murders) but after the first 3 or 4 it just got to be mind numbing.
"True Grit" had a similar feel, and also lots of tension, (as well as a bunch of dead bodies) but that was a much more nuanced and interesting story.
I would avoid this movie.
"True Grit" had a similar feel, and also lots of tension, (as well as a bunch of dead bodies) but that was a much more nuanced and interesting story.
I would avoid this movie.
One of those movies where they say just because the messenger is corrupted. Doesn't mean the message is.
PatrynXX27 October 2021
A corrupt preacher who doesn't mind swearing but ends up using the Lord to use others. Rape, murder, stealing, etc = in this movies it's more or less a Cult only his daughter escapes. It cuts abruptly and yeah its R for a reason. I'm not sure I'd call it Graphic Nudity , since it shows just the above. And Some get PG-13 , but it's possible it's the other guy shot up his. (nevermind. ) but Ed has to get it out someway. (bullet ) Which is about as violent gory it gets. So Unforgiven is much worse in that area. That's also a classic.... I rather like this one compared to Appaloosa. Which was okay but the main thing was. This one is unique. Can't find too many westerns that are almost good. Quality is okay , more entertainment to me.
Quality: 7/10 for the rather short ending (hey Amy is in this ... Hadn't seen her in a movie I have watched since Field of Dreams. ) Seen more of Gaby than Amy... Entertainment: 9/10 Re-Playable: 8/10.
Quality: 7/10 for the rather short ending (hey Amy is in this ... Hadn't seen her in a movie I have watched since Field of Dreams. ) Seen more of Gaby than Amy... Entertainment: 9/10 Re-Playable: 8/10.
Pointless but watchable
utgard1415 March 2014
Long-haired religious nut (Jason Isaacs) kills the husband of former prostitute-turned-farmer (January Jones). Violent revenge western dressed up with quirky types and some fairly weak attempts at profundity. Cast is solid with Ed Harris in particular having a good time with his role. However, it's one of those movies where everybody acts like characters instead of people. A little bit of that goes a long way. January Jones has a topless scene so boob lovers can check her off their list. It's all pretty by-the-numbers and there are no real surprises. Harris is the best part. I can't really recommend it but if you are forced to watch it, it won't make your eyes burn.
Interesting
cinecephale21 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
As far as contemporary western goes, this one is very good. The obvious influence of There will be Blood and Terrence Malick can be annoying, especially in the opening sequences. But then the film find is own identity in a very dark, even macabre, humor and a very nihilistic view of human nature. It give some real piece of anthology, as when the pastor wake up to find the sheriff sitting at his kitchen table with two dead bodies he just digged out; or when Sarah shot a voyeuristic shop owner up the ass. The plot, as the title points out, is one of revenge, but it is not that important. Obviously, the director is more interested in characters and actors then storytelling. All the actors are fantastic, and are allowed to give creative, over the top performances. The result is both fun and unsettling to watch, even if it is sometime frustrating.
Burning $100 Bills
hotrodr900018 April 2014
Just picture that, burning hundred dollar bills. That sick feeling of something valuable completely wasted. That's the feeling you'll have watching some great actors slog through this truly embarrassing mess of a film. The hack script is a museum of heinous clichés and stereotypes. The actors do their best to salvage the horrendous script with over-the-top, scenery chewing performances, but the result is just ludicrous.
Trying to see positives, Ed Harris gives a good effort (he was one of the producers) and our hero husband and wife have some hints of chemistry. But our painfully cartoonish antagonist, Josiah, just ruins the whole film. Again, not for lack of effort from Jason Isaacs, but from the godawful script.
To be fair, there are some terrible films that still have some charm or appeal that makes them enjoyable. This not one of them.
Trying to see positives, Ed Harris gives a good effort (he was one of the producers) and our hero husband and wife have some hints of chemistry. But our painfully cartoonish antagonist, Josiah, just ruins the whole film. Again, not for lack of effort from Jason Isaacs, but from the godawful script.
To be fair, there are some terrible films that still have some charm or appeal that makes them enjoyable. This not one of them.
a very controversial and mixed feeling
rightwingisevil11 June 2013
when you watched this film. there were many gibberish mambo-jumbo religious crappy monologue or crazy enough talk-to-himself murmurings. and the directing was also quite weird as the film itself. there was an usual cunning vicious and violent religious bully who thought all the vast land was his lord and his own property. he committed murder after murder under the name and excuse of the lord and at the same time whenever he reached the climax when he screwed his female followers, he also praised the lord for his ultimate pleasure(guess why all the men and women would cry out in unison 'oh, my god, oh my god' is indeed a Christian mantra during intercourse or love-making?)
this is a very weird movie, an out-of-the-box very unconventional western, at times funny and ruthless, sometimes clueless and ridiculous. but what made this film above the cheap low budget western genre B movies was 1) most of the actors did great jobs and performed so well that didn't give you a cheap feeling of the average tasteless low budget and disgusting modern day western B movies; 2) the great cinematography of the camera, the wide angle wildness of the landscape, the beautiful light setting control. just by watching the glamorous camera works would worth the money and earned at least 8 stars; 3) although the screenplay was a bit over the top ridiculous, but still quite watchable, good enough to anchor your fat buttocks firmly on the seat to the end. again, a weird mindless clueless absurdity sometimes is not a bad idea.
this is a very weird movie, an out-of-the-box very unconventional western, at times funny and ruthless, sometimes clueless and ridiculous. but what made this film above the cheap low budget western genre B movies was 1) most of the actors did great jobs and performed so well that didn't give you a cheap feeling of the average tasteless low budget and disgusting modern day western B movies; 2) the great cinematography of the camera, the wide angle wildness of the landscape, the beautiful light setting control. just by watching the glamorous camera works would worth the money and earned at least 8 stars; 3) although the screenplay was a bit over the top ridiculous, but still quite watchable, good enough to anchor your fat buttocks firmly on the seat to the end. again, a weird mindless clueless absurdity sometimes is not a bad idea.
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