Outlaws and Angels (2016)

In New Mexico, 1887, three desperadoes hold a family hostage in their farmhouse. Following in her father’s footsteps, Francesca Eastwood headlines. She is aided by Luke Wilson and Meet the Parents’ Teri Polo.

Upon its release, Outlaws and Angels garnered negative reviews. Aside from its proficiency in all artistic areas, the lighting, acting and cinematography, where the movie outdoes other westerns is through its message. Crucially, the screenplay addresses issues of bullying and child abuse. Through its heartbreaking depictions of vituperation and ruthless violence, audiences are shown the psychological effects of bullying. This illustration makes Outlaws and Angels a protest against verbal, physical and sexual abuse. It functions to dissuade audiences from perpetrating such actions themselves, forcing them to reflect upon their own morality.

Luke Wilson delivers the most atypical part of his career. Like Wilson’s other characters, Josiah is likeable, upstanding and soft-spoken. However, this is juxtaposed with instances of Josiah’s unexpected anger and sudden violence. Coming from Wilson, this behaviour is jarring. Conversely, such complexity makes Josiah a three-dimensional character. Josiah possesses good and bad traits like real-life individuals and is not merely a genre archetype. He is reflective of the true character of men in the 1880s. In summation, Outlaws and Angels is a far better film than reviews have suggested, with an intellectual core warranting a serious reappraisal.