3:10 to Yuma

3:10 to Yuma (James Mangold, US, 2007) ★★★★

Based on the short story by Elmore Leonard, whose many novels have been adapted to the big screen, is a quality guarantee. What different is that, instead of gangster, it’s a western story and even a remake this time. But there always are the good guy who is trapped in a difficult situation and the bad guy with a soul.

Dan Evans is a descent guy who follows the law and tries his best to take care of his family. But the debt that he owes to the railroad company put them in a danger which treats their living. Ben Wade is a notorious outlaw who robs and kills. His partners, especially his first mate Charlie Prince, are all very loyal to him. His only weakness is that he simply can’t resist beautiful women. The reasons brought these two guys together and make their fate bound ever since.

The tradition of the western stories is that there’s always a contrast between a good guy and a bad guy. This one is no exception. But besides the contrast, there’s also the similarity of both of them. When Evans decides to set on a journey for the task, he realizes it’s not just about surviving. Furthermore, it’s about dignity which will make his son proud of him eventually. Wade sees this side of him and finds a father figure that he has never had one.

The characters in Leonard’s stories are not really just good or bad. The government, the sheriff or the marshal, all do things upon their own benefits or discriminations. On the other hand, the outlaw stands out for the people being treated unfairly and cherishes heroes at the troubled time. A man can lose his faith easily when being a former loyal officer to his country but is treated badly by the country itself, or when being a child who finds that not even his parents have faith. The concept of father and son is an important part in the story as well. Evans’ older son William has the bravery of a youngster. So when he sees his father acts like a coward, it’s difficult for him to find a father figure in him. But there’s still the love for his father by following him through the journey.

Set in the time of Civil War, some of the social phenomenon is presented. The serious hatred between Caucasians and non-Caucasians is first reflected by the Apache shooter in Wade’s gang and followed by the under siege of Apache people when they pass through their territory. Another group of people that was created by the time is trainband. They took actions on their own and made a fortune by the slavery of the Chinese immigrants. Of course, there were also mobs everywhere. It shows the people at the period were whether trying to live or trying to make more money. And that emphasizes the unique of both of the main characters.

Justice prevails only through a person who does it with reasonable purposes. Evans takes the task to protect his family and to prove his bravery. Wade robs the money for showing his bitter to the government and the society. Every person has a standard of doing the right thing in their own heart. But God will show the ultimate standard in the end. The words come from Wade is not because that he’s a faithful man, but because that he believes in only what he truly believes.

James Mangold did an excellent job as a director for this movie and shows his love for the genre and the original movie. As a modern western movie, it rebuilds the mode the old-fashioned western classics were and is made more breathtaking by the advanced techniques. Talking about the elements of a great movie, descent performances are indispensable. Both Russell Crowe and Christian Bale put their quality efforts in the roles. Peter Fonda, Ben Foster and the entire cast formed a cast beyond average.

Heroes for heroes, Wade sees a perfect type of man who is willing to sacrifice for his family which he will never be able to achieve in Evans, and Evans and his son see a man who stands out for everyone at desperate times which they might have never done before. Evan’s Medal of Honor is and always will be an important symbol to his son, but the most memorable reason of it will always be known only by the deeply infected man, Wade.