The western film, Butcher's Crossing, first premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2022 and has since left audiences awestruck with Nicholas Cage's "terrific" performance.
Set in the old west of the 1870s, Butcher's Crossing is a cinematic adaptation of John Edward Williams' 1960 novel. The narrative weaves a fictional tale set against the backdrop of a pivotal era in American history, marked by pioneers, cowboys, and outlaws.
Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage, renowned for his roles in the National Treasure series, City of Angels, and Kick-Ass, takes on the role of a stoic buffalo hunter in this Wild West saga. We first meet a virtually unrecognisable Cage when Will Andrews, a young and naive pastor's son, embarks on a perilous journey.
One review on Rotten Tomatoes praises the film, stating: "This movie provides viewers with an excellent portrayal of a bloody, cruel, and often overlooked part of American history. I've read about this period, but to see it embodied in a film is much more powerful and appropriate."
Another reviewer said: "Gives a visceral rendition of the history of the butchering of the buffalo and has historical photos as well as facts laced in. A great use of the film medium. I do not ever watch Westerns or tend to enjoy them. This one is in a category unto itself.", reports the Express.
In the filme, Will, portrayed by Fred Hechinger, takes a drastic step and quits Harvard University to journey to a secluded Kansas town that thrived on the buffalo trade. However, reality dawns on him and it's nothing like he imagined, leading him to cross paths with Miller, a daunting yet masterful hunter enacted by Cage.
Cool-headed but sly, the seasoned hunter coaxes our naive traveller into pouring money into a venture, spouting claims about a Colorado pass housing one of the last great buffalo gatherings. This ill-advised financial decision strips the gullible academic adventurer of his entire wealth as he buys into their risky endeavour towards the said buffalo haven.
A clearly taken aback film buff said: "Really nice, beautifully shot film with some terrific performances, especially by Nicolas Cage and his young protégé... Not everything has to be overpowering and aimed for the fences; this is a nice film for a rainy afternoon."
Following his wild west escapade, Cage took centre stage in the edge-of-your-seat horror thriller Longlegs in 2024. Doubling as producer, he delivered goosebumps as a devilish serial killer, an act audience members branded "delightfully sinister".
The screamfest captured rave reviews and reeled in a cool $126 million globally off its modest under $10 million budget – clinching the title of the year's most lucrative indie movie and director Osgood Perkins's most successful cinematic work to date.
Cage enthusiasts are heaping praise on his performance in Butcher's Crossing, as one fan hailed the film as a "successful cautionary tale" centred on "greed" adding: "Nicholas Cage delivered, of course. Wilderness and wildlife cinematography was incredible."
They noted: "Some parts of the movie were uneven and felt unfocused, but it never stayed boring for long. Altogether it was a satisfying watch, one that seems underrated and underappreciated by audiences."
Butcher's Crossing is streaming now on Amazon Prime.
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
