‘Rust’ Review: Alec Baldwin Plays a Cold Outlaw with a Heart of Gold in a Buddy-Movie Western That Lopes Along More Than It Takes Wing

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The world is familiar with ‘Rust’ as a film tainted by an on-set calamity. During the filming of a particular scene at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Alec Baldwin, who stars in and produces the movie, accidentally discharged a prop gun that had live ammunition. Despite numerous investigations, it remains unclear how the live rounds ended up on the set or in the gun itself. This unfortunate incident resulted in the death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and the injury of the director, Joel Souza.

With the release of “Rust” on May 2, both in cinemas and streaming platforms, it unfortunately finds itself among the select group of films known for tragic incidents that occurred during their production. This unfortunate association often raises questions about whether these movies truly deserve their place in the spotlight given their troubled origins. For instance, the death of Vic Morrow during the filming of “Twilight Zone: The Movie” (1983) cast a dark shadow over the entire production, and many consider that episode to be its weakest. Similarly, the untimely demise of Brendan Lee on the set of “The Crow” (1994), whose character was a rock ‘n’ roller resurrected after his death, seemed to highlight the flaws in the movie, making his senseless passing even more poignant.

The film titled “Rust” surpasses both of the others in terms of quality. This indie art Western, set in 1882, is visually appealing and engaging. It transforms into a heartwarming, multi-generational friendship story. However, I must admit that the movie, on the whole, isn’t exceptionally good. The narrative is minimalistic, it seems to meander rather than soar, and without any justification, it runs for two hours and 19 minutes.

In the role of a rugged, criminal gunslinger who dotes on his grandchildren, Baldwin attempts to instill an intimidating star presence into the movie. Admittedly, I’m a fan of his acting skills, but he seems out of place within the film’s historical context. Despite his constant use of “ain’t,” he appears as if he doesn’t belong—a modern, middle-class actor with a voice that sounds too soft and high (something I hadn’t noticed about him before). This voice contrasts sharply with the reserved, taciturn characters Kevin Costner often portrays effortlessly.

Harland Rust, a rugged sharpshooter known for his bushy gray beard, white Stetson, and piercing eyes, goes by the name Rust. He is the grandfather of Lucas Hollister, a 13-year-old boy living on a farm in Wyoming Territory with his younger brother, Jacob. Their parents are deceased, and they struggle to survive by caring for their livestock and warding off a threatening wolf. However, it becomes evident that Lucas is a hot-tempered child when he gets into a confrontation at the town’s general store. He ends up breaking another boy’s arm, leading to the boy’s father demanding payment or labor from Lucas. In response, Lucas takes violent action against the man, killing him. As a result, Lucas is arrested, tried, and sentenced to hang, which seems excessive even for the waning days of the Wild West. But just when it appears that Lucas’ fate is sealed, Rust, Lucas’ grandmother’s father, enters the picture.

As a passionate cinephile, I must say that Patrick Scott McDermott, portraying Lucas, showcases promising acting skills reminiscent of Timothée Chalamet. However, the character of Lucas seems to lack depth; the script doesn’t delve into any troubling emotional complexities that could justify his seemingly premature violence. Regrettably, this underdevelopment permeates the entire film, making it feel somewhat incomplete and lengthy. That’s the movie’s main flaw, if you ask me.

Rust rescues Lucas from prison, and they flee on horses, becoming wanted fugitives with every action closely monitored. A posse is formed to capture them, offering a $1,000 reward, and among the hunters are some intriguing personalities. The head of this group is Wood Helm, a Wyoming marshal portrayed by Josh Hopkins, who exudes a rugged frontier charm reminiscent of a worn-out Abe Lincoln. (He’s known for his early work in forensics.) Travis Fimmel takes on the character typically associated with Tom Hardy – Fenton “Preacher” Lang, a bounty hunter who is both a devout Christian and a charismatic psychopath, though not necessarily in that order.

As someone following the story, I found myself feeling underwhelmed when “Rust” and Lucas embarked on their journey southward, with the posse hot on their heels. The ensuing chase felt rather sluggish, lacking in unexpected turns or profound insights – essentially a slow-paced chase movie.

Rust’s backstory was gradually unveiled: a Chicago native who turned to bank robbery post-Civil War due to circumstances beyond his control, revealing himself to be a cold-hearted yet compassionate individual. The connection between Rust and Lucas was intended to tug at our heartstrings, but it felt formulaic to me, more reminiscent of “True Grit Lite” than the classic “Shane.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that Halyna Hutchins’ dusk-and-sunset cinematography in “Rust,” complemented by Bianca Cline’s work, is undeniably one of its standout features. The movie exudes a brooding sensuality that sets it apart. However, as written and directed by Josh Souza, the storyline feels like a journey from one location to another without really delving deep enough for these places to leave a lasting impression. Rust and Lucas stop at various spots, but they don’t linger long enough for these settings to carry much weight. Intriguingly, even though “Rust” is more vigorous than Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” films, it maintains an arid quality that is further accentuated by Lilie Bytheway-Hoy and James Jackson’s modernist musical score.

The film makes a token effort to incorporate Native characters, but it falls short of the spirit demonstrated in “Tombstone,” a movie that masterfully showed how a traditional Western could be both serious and entertaining without being somber. The offscreen tragedy that has now become synonymous with “Rust” may spark curiosity or deter viewers, but for those who choose to watch it, they will find a film that delivers, even if it fails to leave an unforgettable adventure imprint.

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2025-05-01 07:17