Review: Blackthorn

 Shepard’s performance feels effortless, shining in heavier dramatic moments but also managing to show a more light-hearted side to the character – mainly one sequence which sees him bouncing about on a mule, belting out old country tune, Sam Hall. Shepard delivers each line with a gravelly, gravitas and is utterly convincing, as far as I’m concerned, Shepard is Butch Cassidy. Spanish actor, Eduardo Noriega also leaves a lasting impact in Blackthorn as the likeable young criminal with a dark secret. The pair have strong on-screen chemistry and the wordplay between the two makes for a fun dynamic.

Barros’ also adds a further interesting dynamic by featuring a former-Sheriff meeting up with Cassidy, the outlaw that he devoted years of his life attempting to apprehend. We are originally introduced to this character, McKinley (played by the excellent Stephen Rea), in a flashback – a smart, ambitious man, however, in present-time he is a shell of his former self, his failure has haunted him throughout his life. These scenes with Rea are an interesting look at the Butch Cassidy story from the perspective of the law, a side that is rarely explored in the iconic tale.

Mateo Gil’s Blackthorn is a brooding, well-developed, character driven western; boasting truly stellar performances from Shepard, Noriega and Rea. The well-written and original take on the later life of the iconic outlaw, helps Blackthorn stand out as one of the strongest westerns in recent years.