sourcing : eastwood’s Pale Rider

Clint Eastwood began mapping the long tempos of landscaped slowness, outbursts of violent conflict, and sideways humor, in Pale Rider. He establishes a landscape, a particular wilderness. The character he plays irrevocably interrupts and changes this landscape.

The film is over two hours long. The length allows particular details of the central characters to enable the slow distillation of narrative. Also, enough time for the audience to think they know each character well. The space inside the film gives room for each character.

Pale Rider is a long walk through a landscape of competition. Corrupt local government provides the unfair referree turning its back on the action long enough for it to happen. Plot evolves naturally, from the choices made by clearly-defined identities on film.

Emotional behavior moves deeply under the surface. Eastwood’s timing allows the audience to go through a particular emotional experience. That’s what makes Eastwood so good – all the stuff unsaid, the space allowing audience to project their emotional responses into the film.

Its loose in its weave, in just the right way …