Sooo....how have I NEVER heard about how incredible Bill Pullman is in this movie??? Everything else in the movie ranges from decent (visual beauty, solid drama) to downright bad (Caviezel, little kid), but Pullman...my God. He's a force.
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matthewssilverhammer6 November 2019
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realfandangoforever10 February 2018Enjoyed this film more upon second viewing. In the last two years, I think I'm finally coming to understand that I need to be a dedicated consumer of the visual arts or I'm wasting everyone's time. The concept behind this film, the idea of focusing on a dimwitted sick kick rather than his confident partner, is a great idea. Lefty Brown (Bill Pullman) grew on me as the film progressed. I'm not sure he created his own luck but he definitely had it in spades. Joining him is the two-gun rig sporting Jeremiah (Diego Josef) and a grief stricken alcoholic Marshall Tom Harrah (Tommy Flanagan). Blondie, the cool and competent killer for hire provides a challenging adversary but I found his departure from the film is a wee bit anticlimactic. Overall, The Ballad of Lefty Brown is a good modern western and will keep genre loving fans, like myself, very content. Right on.
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chrisrpugh5 September 2019Ok so it's a bit slow but don't let that put you off, it's gritty with empathy towards the main characters. It has political and moral undertones and we'll acted throughout.
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The Ballad of Lefty Brown
I like a good western but like all good things they are hard to come by. We live in a world where our movie heroes wear capes not a gun belt and a Stetson. So when a journey back to Montana 1889 becomes available I'm saddled up and ready to go. The Ballad of Lefty Brown is a simple tale about a man who sets out on a quest to avenge the murder of his best friend. This movie benefits from a career best performance by Bill Pullman as Lefty. He transforms himself into the hapless hero with a strong accent and partially crippled physicality. There's strong support too from the likes of Tommy Flanagan, Jim Caviezel, Kathy Baker and Peter Fonda. Ultimately this is Pullman's show as our unlikely hero seeks justice. The audience will root for the titular character because director Jared Moshe devotes just enough time to develop his hero. This film isn't one of the genres best but it goes along way in keeping western movie magic alive. I recommend that you check this film out especially if like me you are an occasional fan of the genre -
AudioFileZ19 February 2018This may be a modest film, but it has star power that can't be denied in Bill Pullman's performance as the grizzled Lefty Brown. The Montana pre-railroad locale is presented well here for a town that is on the cusp of a major shift. Peter Fonda plays prominent rancher Edward Johnson who is of belief that things should change slow and deliberate. Governor Bierce played by Jim Caviezel is a supposed ally who has much the opposite view in that he has secretly put in place a plan to usurp the incoming Senator Edward Johnson by a murderous plot. There's only one thing in between the governor's plan which is Johnson's life-long riding and ranching companion Lefty Brown. Brown is seen as a past his shelf-life half-wit to which the governor sorely underestimates. This is a about a time when the only thing that can come between unscrupulous power and morality is loyalty. That is the one thing Lefty Brown possesses in spades. He's a shell of the man he once was physically, but his loyalty and moral compass is fully intact. It propels him to seek justice at all costs. This story may be a bit hackneyed and quite simple, but it doesn't try to be epic and in that it hits a sweet spot. Pullman's performance is such that it carries the humbleness into something much better. If you long for a decent western in today's bombastic super hero movie world then look no further. This is a wholly respectable modern western with nods to so much that keep the genre beloved.
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sales-8519 February 2018No, it was not the worst movie I have ever watched, nor was it a waste of almost 2 hours. Sure, you can see what's coming a mile away but it was not a zzzzzzzz snore fest either. If you love westerns, and a decent story, along with some really fine acting by Pullman, pop up some corn and give it a try.
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cdcrb16 December 2017For a change, bill Pullman gets to carry a movie all by himself. 1889 montana. bill, as lefty brown, goes off the find the killer of his old friend. unfortunately, he is accused of the murder and must prove his innocence. the movie reminded me of other westerns, a little sam peckinpaw light, maybe "the battle of cable Hogue. " if you are a fan of westerns, you'll like this fine. not many westerns these days.
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jhphrydas28 October 2017I love an underdog--who doesn't? With The Ballad of Lefty Brown, Jared Moshe gives the audience a chance to revel in what happens when a bumbling sidekick (expertly played by Bill Pullman) loses his left-hand man (Peter Fonda) and is compelled by love and honor to take revenge. The cinematography is gorgeous--think Andrew Wyeth landscapes at sunset--and the mood of the film remains true to its genre: pensive, a bit wild, and ripplingly tense.
The film succeeds most when it juxtaposes Lefty's incompetence with his determination. Lefty doesn't take action with grace and style like so many other Western heroes--It's just not in his nature. Even his friends think he's too incompetent to manage a ranch let alone outsmart some highly capable bad guys. Lucky for us, his tenacity reveals strength within a love that compels him to do what everyone around him thinks impossible.
As the film progresses, our desire to see Lefty "win" takes on a deeper meaning. Not only do we want him to succeed because justice is pleasurable to witness--Lefty's success is also proof that courage comes in all packages and that true grit reveals its own type of grace, one that is often overlooked when we dismiss those at the bottom of the pecking order.
The Ballad of Lefty Brown is a meditation on what happens if we stop worrying about our flaws and instead explore how we can work with them. Who knows, maybe one of our weaknesses could come in handy some day... -
einnoc1020 April 2017Bill Pullman has been acting for 30 years and co-owns a cattle ranch in Montana with his brother near Whitehall, Montana. The opportunity to star as Lefty Brown, the lead in the western "The Ballad of Lefty Brown," set in Montana , was a rare confluence of star and role intersecting. Lefty Brown is a cowhand who sets out to avenge his good friend's death just before Peter Fonda (in that role) is to set out to become a Senator in Washington, D. C.
Pullman called Jared Moshe's second directorial effort "a perfect storm" of coincidence and told interviewers that he lived (part-time) only twenty minutes away from the countryside where filming took place. The wide-screen vistas of Montana country are beautiful, indeed, especially when captured on Kodak film. The use of film was much remarked upon by the participants in the film, and the great cinematography by David McFarland reminds of old westerns. Director Moshe said, after the showing of the film, "You need real film in westerns to get the feel, the grain." The sound was also wonderful.
Lefty Brown is a throwback to the days of sidekicks like Gabby Hayes or Walter Brennan in classic westerns from Howard Hawks and John Ford. Lefty is a 63-year-old illiterate ranch hand who has ridden beside Eddie Johnson (Peter Fonda) for 40 years. As one line spoken by Lefty put it: "I'm the man who never got anything right in over 60 odd years."
But now Eddie Johnson (Peter Fonda) and his wife Laura (Kathy Baker) are on their way to Washington, where Eddie is to be the new Senator from the state of Montana. Eddie (Fonda) has confidence in Lefty's ability to keep the home spread running.
Mrs. Johnson, Laura, has her doubts about whether Lefty is up to the task. She shares those doubts with her husband just before the two men ride off to find out who has rustled three horses from their fields. It is not long after this that Eddie, (just as he is announcing his confidence in him to longtime friend Lefty and bestowing his treasured rifle on the old cowboy), is shot dead by a sniper.
Lefty vows to get revenge for the killing of his boss and friend, but "the bad guy" is going to be the fly in that ointment. Tension does not ratchet up as it should in the third act. Jim Caviezel plays the Governor, who is central to the plot's denouement.
It's too bad the script isn't fast-paced enough at that point to hold the attention of today's audience(s).
I sat next to three publicists at SXSW, all young girls. Ultimately,they got up and left mid-movie. The three seats were then filled by three others in search of entry to the sold- out showing. They also got up and left before the film's finale..
The last occupant of the seat nearest me, noticing my notepad, said, "What did you think?"
My response? "Kind of slow-moving. But pretty."
The movie did not capture the attention of 6 people sitting next to me at the premiere. I hung in there till the end, to hear the actors Q&A afterwards. (One exclaimed, "We're shooting film!" as though he had just discovered gold).
Another said, "I loved it. For me, it was an amazing experience being out in the middle of Montana."
Pullman, himself, said, "I kind of felt they might take it (the role) away from me, but then I realized I didn't want anyone else riding that horse."
James Caviezel, most recently on the television series "Person of Interest," but also memorable in "The Passion of the Christ" and "Frequency," shared with the audience that this is the third film he has made with Bill Pullman, the other two being "The Thin Red Line," where he portrayed Pvt. Witt, and "Wyatt Earp." Caviezel praised Pullman's hard-working skill as an actor, saying, "This man is special. Seamless. No seams in it. He had everything in his portrayal of Lefty- mannerisms and everything. We were shooting the climactic scene in the office late one night and I was running on empty, but Bill was right on the money. I was running on fumes. Afterwards, I went outside and threw up."
I did not go outside and throw up but I was sorry that I didn't like The Ballad of Lefty Brown more, because I like the actors in it and the cinematography and sound were great. It was just slow. To quote a line from the script, "Sorry don't get it done." -
vandelour8 March 2018I like westerns. I even like BAD westerns. But I don't like dull westerns. And this one is dull. Little flashes of good can't outweight the droning going-nowhere-fast acting of Bill Pullman. The thing that surprises me is how in his varied performances, including this one, he always comes across like he's doing an L.A. dinner theater job of a guy acting like an actor. And yet people are wowed by his performance. I don't get it so I gave it a 4.
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Blumanowar17 January 2020Really good Western with a twist..'The hero is the sidekick...don't see that often, if ever. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good flick to watch late night when your tired of all the modern movie genres... Kick back and enjoy!!
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This is Jared Moshe's 2nd attempt at writing and directing (known primarily as a producer) and he did a decent job. Had this been the work of a seasoned director and/or writer, I would have scored this a 3/10. However, basing my rating on the merits of the film (B-grade with no major production backing), I gave it a 7/10.
The only highlight of this film was Bill Pullman's performance which was outstanding. Without him, this film would have flopped. Tommy Flanagan wasn't bad either but I've seen him do much better.
The score was one of the worst, did not belong in a western, and it was very annoying and evident when present. The screenplay was next in line to flop with major plot issues. The pace was extremely slow and makes the viewers attention difficult to hold. Had this movie been played at 1.5x speed, it would have shown better. The editing was terrible. The cinematography was lacking for the setting. The story itself had heart, and was decent.
Thus a very generous 7/10. Would I see it again? Nope. Did I enjoy it? Yes. -
To watch a western I have to be in the mood. Because that's one genre of movies I do like but I just can't watch it every day. With The Ballad Of Lefty Brown I was totally in the mood, but unfortunately it wasn't a good western. That other reviewers thought it was Oscar worthy performances from Bill Pullman is a thing I can't understand. I just thought he was average. The rest of the cast was not even average, more mediocre. The script isn't that great either, it's full of flaws, and that doesn't do any good to the movie. The story is slow, with almost no action, and when there is it's not even good. You would think you could have amazing shots in Montana but even that wasn't great either. I really can't see what others saw when they say it's a great movie. It's just mediocre at best.
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I quite enjoyed the film. my favourite part was when the character played by Peter fonda got shot dead in the beginning.
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I watched this at home on DVD from my public library. I like the actors, they are all good. But that is the only good reason to watch this.
In a typical western, like this one, it starts in 1889 Montana with a good guy getting killed, followed by a long and winding search for justice, and in the end a big gunfight with lots of people shooting at each other.
I have watched quite a number of westerns over the years so I am familiar with the genre but this one doesn't really add anything new. On the positive side it does feature beautiful Montana with its wide open spaces and rolling terrain. On the negative side scenes are drawn out, most of the movie moves very slowly.
See it if you are a die-hard fan of westerns, otherwise you may find it more than a bit tedious. -
classicsoncall12 October 2020I'm not convinced Governor Bierce (Jim Caviezel) had to have newly elected Senator Edward Johnson (Peter Fonda) murdered for opposing the railroad. Sure, Johnson might have done so in Congress, but the relentless pace of Western expansion would have trumped virtually all opposition to it. So for the sake of the story, Bierce reneged on a forty year friendship with three former partners and wound up pulling the short straw anyway.
I liked Bill Pullman in this story as the crusty character of the title, Lefty Brown. A bit of a misnomer because he did everything right handed, but who else noticed really? Pullman was so effective in the role that I swear, at one point in the film for a very brief moment, I thought he was channeling Andy Devine. He managed to prove that his ineptitude could translate into virtue by dint of fierce loyalty and a determined heart. Not only toward his murdered friend, but also the newly acquired sidekick of his own in the form of youthful gunslinger Jeremiah Perkins (Diego Josef).
However the ending of the story bothered me a bit. When Lefty offered to kick the hanging stool out from under the governor, thereby taking Laura Johnson (Kathy Baker) off the hook, it felt like he turned his back on the law himself. Hanging a man, even if he was guilty, in front of a large passel of witnesses, was bound to result in a posse to hunt down anyone, no matter how noble the intentions were. Lefty's ride into the sunset wasn't the kind of feel good ending one would have expected had the governor's actions been exposed for the crime that it was. -
zardoz-138 March 2018One of the archetypical characters in westerns is the sidekick. A sidekick rode alongside virtually every hero in just about every horse opera. Typically, the sidekick was a considerably older fellow. Primarily, he served two purposes. First, he gave the tall, handsome, clean-shaven hero somebody with whom to converse, so we would know the hero's thoughts. Second, he provided the films with a source of comic relief. Just as the traditional western hero with his white hat and impeccable moral code rarely wandered to the wrong side of the law, neither did the sidekick. "Dead Man's Burden" writer & director Jared Moshe has elevated the peripheral western sidekick to rank of protagonist in "The Ballad of Lefty Brown." If for no other reason, "The Ballad of Lefty Brown" qualifies as a seminal western because it has done what no other western has done. Bill Pullman plays the sidekick with his usual persuasive brilliance, and he maintains the standard image of the sidekick. He sports a scruffy beard, and he wears his hat with the brim curled back in the front from a lifetime of riding headlong into the wind like a pony express rider. Not only does "The Ballad of Lefty Brown" dare to do something different, but it is also a good, solid, wide-open spaces oater. Moshe's film evokes memories of one of director John Ford's greatest westerns "The Man Who Killed Liberty Valance," co-starring John Wayne and James Stewart. Ultimately, loyalty, friendship, and the abrupt frontier justice the constitute the primary themes of this atmospheric western. A political subtext about the changing values of the Old West pervades "The Ballad of Lefty Brown." Moshe surrounds Pullman with a first-class cast, including Peter Fonda, Jim Caviezel, Tommy Flanagan, Kathy Baker, and newcomer Diego Josef. "Baytown Outlaws" lenser David McFarland's widescreen cinematography captures the savage grandeur and epic beauty of Montana. Moreover, this isn't one of those oaters that rolls over and dies at the end. Instead, it wraps up on a tense note with our congenial hero riding off into the sunset with an inevitable posse on his trail. Lefty Brown has ridden in the shadow of his best friend, Edward Johnson (Peter Fonda of "The Hired Hand"), for forty years. Now, his partner is poised to represent Montana in Washington, D.C. The first time that we see these two together, they are contending with a bad guy. Lefty bears his inevitable double-barrel shotgun as they hunt down the villain, and Edward intervenes to save Lefty's life. Edward hangs the ruffian, and they ride back to his ranch, where his wife Laura Johnson (Kathy Baker of "Cold Mountain") dutifully awaits his return. Edward is looking forward to his future as a Congressman when rustlers strike his ranch, and Lefty and he ride out to track them down. Suddenly, the impossible occurs, and everybody is shattered by the outcome. One of the rustlers, Frank (Joe Anderson of "The Grey"), shoots Edward Johnson in the head, killing him, with a high-powered rifle. Chaos and shock sets in for everybody involved, and one of Edward's oldest friends, Montana Governor Jimmy Bierce (Jim Caviezel of "The Passion of the Christ") rides to his ranch to extend his condolences. Laura is in a predicament of her own because her husband Edward did not leave a will, and the ranch is liable to wind up in the hands of a relative rather than for her. She refuses to let this happen to her, and she convinces Bierce to forge a last will and testament, so she can retain the property. Reluctantly, Bierce accommodates Laura. Bierce's decision reveals something dark in his character that eventually comes to light regarding Edward's murder at the hands of the rustlers. Meantime, Lefty sets out to avenge his friend, but he makes a complete buffoon out of his himself. A troubled lawman who has ridden with Bierce, Tom Harrah (Tommy Flanagan of "Gladiator") comes to Lefty's rescue. Meantime, Lefty has found an orphan, Jeremiah (Diego Josef of "Message from the King"), who hero worships the like of Tom Harrah, and has dime novels that celebrate Harrah's exploits. Harrah suffers from a tragic past; his wife was murdered, but he has never quite recovered from it. Now, he is a lawman who rides with Bierce. Lefty and Harrah are old friends, too. Bill Pullman is splendid as the slow-witted western that toplines him. Gabby Hayes might has hammed it up more, but Pullman is near enough to Hayes that you believe him.
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David-Grant14 September 2018Bill Pullman as Lefty Brown is every grizzled sidekick ever seen in a Western pushed to the lead in the story.
After Peter Fonda;s traditional hero is gunned down by an assassin band, his 40 year partner chases down his assailants, but the reasons prove more complex than a simple man can handle.
Aided by a young gunslinger Lefty will not be stopped as the law and the black hats bear down.
Rich and rewarding throughout. A simple tale of the west is propelled by Bill Pullman's stellar performance and a very neat script. Beautiful camerawork and some huge widescreen vistas make a small story big.
Gabby Hayes would have been proud. -
First off, it was shot on film, and it shows. The color and lighting felt warm and real. Call me old school, but there is something wonderful about a film shot on, well...FILM! I enjoyed the acting. It felt real. The story made sense and believable. Overall I really enjoyed watching it and it was a great surprise to stumble across it on Amazon Prime. Wish I could have seen it on the silver screen. Bravo...
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hazzah124 November 2022Bill Pullman is always a win. A good revenge western is always a win. Unfortunately, this one was a bit lacking in the revenge area.
Mind you, there's plenty of death and gun play. But, also one twist atop another twist. There wasn't *that* much plot needed.
The rest of the cast is filled with talent; Kathy Baker, James Caviezel , and Tommy Flanagan.
Even Peter Fonda shows up for a spell. The acting is top notch, no doubt.
It's truly the script which needed the editing. There was a lot of dialogue about one thing or another and then a sub plot needs to move ahead ahhhhhhh you get the idea.
Worthy of a watch? Yes. Should everyone rush to see it? No, you may hurt yourself. Would it make for great background noise? Again, no. This is simply because the twists are coming and they don't stop coming. Fed to the - whoa! I almost veered off, there. My apologies. -
My father would call it a "good ol' fashioned shoot 'em up Western". The filmmakers would likely describe it as a sweeping American period piece epic. Dad, I love ya, but each of these classifications miss the mark. By a lot.
Alas, "The Ballad of Lefty Brown" is an overlong, plodding and pointless test of patience trying way too hard to be something more grand than it delivers.
And that's just not right. -
Pullman gives an idiosyncratic, detailed performance as Lefty.
Watch Pullman closely for only a minute or two, and then you will not be able to take your eyes away from watching his inspired acting in this wonderfully filmed western.
Needed more development between Lefty and his long-time friend Edward (Fonda) though - so we the audience feel the deep friendship as well.
Pullman as Lefty, in spite of his drawbacks as a simple, but well meaning ranch hand totally convinces us that heart, loyalty, friendship, and honor do indeed matter.
Never ever count out that person to do the right thing all the way to the end.
We would all be lucky to have a caring, determined friend like Lefty. - AVS -
mark_lyons_72 April 2021Bill Pullman has become one of my favourite actors. This movie plays to his strengths. His understated performance shines in this classically styled western. A bit of betrayal, a drunk haunted by the loss of his wife, another tainted by the attraction of fame and glory, the "greenhorn" kid. The simple Lucky Brown stands at the moral centre of this story and is beautifully portrayed by Pullman. The visuals are superb and overall I really enjoyed this. Recommended.
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Genadijus-L15 December 2017So-so accomplished western with some mixture of other genres, impressive role by Bill Pullman and huge bucket of cinematic mistakes, ranging from weak supporting cast to tv-style editing and cinematography. It strongly lacks THAT THING what's called being a good western.
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Gordon-1126 July 2018This film tells the story of a man who has to fight for his innocence in a wild, rough world.
I'm not a fan of westerns generally, but this is not too bad. At least the visuals are good, and the main character in question at least looks amicable, like an old grandpa. It is sad to see so many people dying in westerns, to the point of having no respect for human lives. I guess that's how rough the world was back then.