In A Valley Of Violence

 

Nothing tugs at the heartstrings quite like any story involving a dog. Dogs are better than people and we don’t deserve them. That said, as humans, the most profound bond one can share is with a dog. They are our loyal companions until the bitter end. They are protectors, snugglers, jesters, companions, pick-me-ups, and if you take care of them, they will be your ride or die for life.

Jumpy the dog plays Abbie the dog in In A Valley Of Violence. Jumpy the dog is better at life than I am. Certainly more dexterous.

In Ti West’s new film, In A Valley Of Violence, Paul (Ethan Hawke) is a hapless vagabond who is just trying to make it to Mexico by way of the arid, dusty planes of the Old West. With Abbie (Jumpy) by his side, the two happen upon the town of Denton. Now, it’s never a good thing when the locals have taken to referring to their own town as a “Valley Of Violence”, so Paul doesn’t mean to stay long.

Once a mining town, Denton is now comprised of an unctuous Marshal (John Travolta), his dimwitted but seemingly impregnable son, Gilly (James Ransone), and a handful of slack-jawed hayseeds. Upon arrival, Paul seeks shelter and a bit of shuteye at Denton’s rundown inn where he meets Mary Anne (Taissa Farmiga). She takes a shine to Abbie — who wouldn’t? — and most definitely has eyes for Paul.

Like any good drifter, though, Paul’s gotta be on his way. He doesn’t want any trouble, which is exactly what is seems the miscreant inhabitants of Denton are lookin’ for. Despite his best efforts, Paul finds himself embroiled in a bloody battle on a quest for revenge.

In A Valley Of Violence is certainly a departure from Writer/Director/Producer Ti West’s typical fare. He is most well-known in film for his work in the horror genre that I love so well. West’s take on the classic Western genre is a fun one. The audience not only gets a taste of the vintage representation of the Western — wide, sweeping shots of stunning landscape, the crunch of gravel under cowboy boots followed by the jangling of spurs, and, of course, some gun-slingin’ — but West puts a spin on it that makes it feel more contemporary, all the while paying reverence to what pop culture has come to know and love in this particular wheelhouse.

I’ll be quite honest and tell you that when I saw Travolta’s name on the bill, it turned me off a bit. Sure, you can argue that his earlier work was spot-on and how dare I, but he’s just gotten weird and a bit off-putting. Which is why I’m delighted to say that he did splendidly in Valley! He was one of my favorite parts of the movie. So much so that I almost forgot about that really weird red carpet moment he had with Scarlett Johansson.

I also quite enjoyed the balancing act between Hawke — who is always a bit dry — and Ransone. The two were a more tame version of when Anne Hathaway and James Franco hosted the Oscars. Ronsone’s off-the-wall energy played well on Hawke’s ever-expressionless demeanor. You may remember that the two shared the screen in Sinister (2012) as well.

The film knows what it is and that makes for easy watching. Not being a huge fan of Westerns, I absolutely gave it up for Valley. It scratches that itch without being overbearing and makes us laugh, leaving a feeling of slight unease throughout. West did a Q&A after the show and revealed that he’s a bit burnt out on horror. While that was disappointing to hear, I get it.

Given the opportunity to ask him a question, I didn’t ask about his movies. I didn’t ask about this  movie. I got up there, approached the mic, and told him how much I loved the episode of the Scream TV series that he directed. Thankfully, my approach wasn’t in vain, because he then revealed that there maybe just might be a horror television series in the works!

Whatever it is that he gets up to next, I, for one, can’t wait to see it. Mark your calendars! In A Valley Of Violence comes out this October!