'Old Henry' A Review

Old Henry is a western about reserved Oklahoma farmer/homesteader Henry(Tim Blake Nelson) and his son Wyatt(Gavin Lewis) who discover an abandoned horse and get drawn into a violent situation while they grapple with familial tension.

Nelson gives a wonderfully layered, recalcitrant, physical performance. Despite his small stature and ropey frame he is utterly believable as a turn of the century farmer as well as a capable combatant when called upon. It's a fine line and he can be(and has been cast as many times) an odd presence but he is refreshing and effective as the lead here. Lewis as his son is clearly a bit green but none the less has good chemistry with Nelson and their dynamic gives the story some necessary dimension. Stephen Dorff as Ketchum the heavy continues his post True Detective resurgence and is deliciously villainous here, he plays the black hat with a charming loquacious wryness which pairs perfectly with Nelson's gruff restraint.

Unadorned cinematography evokes a sprawling bleak beauty which matches perfectly with the genre and the setting. Most of the action takes place on a single farm and all of the action takes place within a couple miles and this focus of location furthers to enhance rather than restrict the narrow but potent story. The narrative is simple, as is the production, as are the performances, but taken together it all has a surprising depth. And the result is a very pleasing, effective, at times meditative, at times thrilling, modern western. It's great to have Old Henry in the same year as the questionably critically lauded, unduly complicated The Power Of The Dog as counter programing.

An excellent, straight-up, genre piece. No frills.

Currently available for rent on most VOD platforms.

See It.