The Homesman

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: November 14, 2014

6.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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foxgroveNov 26, 2014

Although The Homesman is beautifully crafted with some striking visuals its uneven tone has a detrimental effect on the movie's end result. Things start promisingly as we observe Hilary Swank going about her daily life on the farm, but asAlthough The Homesman is beautifully crafted with some striking visuals its uneven tone has a detrimental effect on the movie's end result. Things start promisingly as we observe Hilary Swank going about her daily life on the farm, but as soon as she starts trekking across the prairie to Iowa with Tommy Lee Jones and three mad women in tow the interest quickly starts to dissipate. By the end I felt as if I had been on the journey with them and wasn't far off crazy myself. Swank and Jones are a good pairing with the latter providing some fitfully amusing moments. Swank is at her most outstanding in a very moving scene in which she asks Jones to marry her.
Contrary to what the critics have been saying the film is at its best when the surprise exit of a major character allows the film to remove itself from the boredom of the plains. The introduction of other players, notably James Spader (hamming it up deliciously) and Meryl Streep each in their own singular scene, injects some much needed drama into proceedings. This last half hour does, in fact, hint at how good the film could have been had it taken another route.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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jeremypDec 7, 2014

A bleak and depressing story that never lifts itself out of it's deep cynicism. The actors are superb but the material drags them down. What really kills the film is the empty roles given the three "madwomen" reduced mostly to catatonicA bleak and depressing story that never lifts itself out of it's deep cynicism. The actors are superb but the material drags them down. What really kills the film is the empty roles given the three "madwomen" reduced mostly to catatonic stares, which robs the story of badly needed central solidity, and then it gets worse.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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TVJerryDec 9, 2014

Tommy Lee Jones directed and stars in this film about an intense, independent pioneer woman (Hilary Swank) who volunteers to deliver three mentally unstable wives back to a more civilized place. Jones plays the shiftless reprobate who sheTommy Lee Jones directed and stars in this film about an intense, independent pioneer woman (Hilary Swank) who volunteers to deliver three mentally unstable wives back to a more civilized place. Jones plays the shiftless reprobate who she enlists to help her on the strenuous trek. The story unfolds in small episodes that provide short glimpses into their characters and situations they face. It's a bleak time and the threats they face are continuous. The film's mood reflects this (although Jones manages to give his character a few comic flashes). It's a sometimes uncomfortable journey (in both senses), but not especially intense or emotional. Still, if you have a taste for frontier stories you might find it interesting.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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ledaumasNov 30, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Excellent acting and a sad story about the other side of the pioneer spirit. I couldn't help comparing Matt Damon in Instrastellar where he's desperate for human companionship. Same thing here, but it's the old West instead of being stranded on a planet with no one else. In this story, it's being stranded with a selfish person. Both movies show the extreme circumstances of loneliness which causes people to go crazy. I used to watch "Streetcar Named Desire" when I got depressed because after watching that movie, I knew my life was so much better, so I felt better after watching it. This movie doesn't offer the same relief. The ending of the movie seems to say that these women made poor choices when they decided to live in isolated areas with men they thought loved them, when the man's need was more out of necessity than love. Yet most women want love, even now. Golddiggers were not interested in the West and this movie shows why. thw story affects you. But I dont watch movies to see a depressing story. I have my life for that which can, but not always, be bad enough. I wanted the ending to have redemption, but it did not. I'm not sure what the end meant. I hope it means Biggs changed, but I don't think that happened,… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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SpangleMay 2, 2016

Often called a "feminist western", The Homesman is decidedly not feminist and instead incredibly sexist. That aside, it is only a middling success. The cinematography is the best thing this western has going for it, as the shots here areOften called a "feminist western", The Homesman is decidedly not feminist and instead incredibly sexist. That aside, it is only a middling success. The cinematography is the best thing this western has going for it, as the shots here are truly gorgeous from beginning to end. The premise is interesting and well realized. Heck, even the characters are very well done and have nice little arcs to them. That said, the acting is spotty, the film is decidedly dull, and I typically avoid chalking up sexism as a con unless blatant, but the fact the film pretends to be feminist is what makes me do this. Ultimately, the film could use better pacing, but as it stands this one largely satisfied me. Truly dark and depressing, The Homesman is hits all of the western trademarks and brings some fresh twists to the arena.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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beingryanjudeNov 14, 2014

Despite promise from a bizarrely interesting trek across the wilderness and another dignified performance from Hilary Swank, The Homesman under utilizes its own story and even its own actors.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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everettMar 8, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's been stated here that one of the main flaws is the emptiness of the roles of the three madwomen, and I agree with that. We do briefly see where they're coming from, but after that, the way they remain speechless seems like lazy writing, especially the one who just says "Toc,"; it all becomes unintentionally comic. And I just don't understand why Cuddy does what she does near the end. None of it, the whole sequence of events that leads to the final one. Is she really that desperate? Isn't this film supposed to be "feminist," about an empowered woman? She, and three empty heads, do not add up to empowerment. One review called the movie a "vanity project." I assume it was referring to the star/director Tommy Lee Jones, and in the end, I'd have to agree. Hilary Swank, on the other hand, was her usual brilliant self.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JLuis_001Sep 6, 2017

The Homesman is neither conventional nor fresh, the film gets entangled with a series of relative episodes that define the journey which achieves a more refined structure in comparison to what Jones achieved as director in The Three BurialsThe Homesman is neither conventional nor fresh, the film gets entangled with a series of relative episodes that define the journey which achieves a more refined structure in comparison to what Jones achieved as director in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, this story creates a more conventional investment in the characters and landscapes, which gives it a huge meaning.

You would face boredom but if you stand you will enjoy it more.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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