THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN

BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN MORE OF A DITTY

Film Review by FIORE

If someone is deserving of a ballad, they should accomplish feats worthy of song.  THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN deals with a character who is more noted for his errors than his exploits.  He can’t shoot straight, is slow to understand what is going on around him, has no manner with the ladies and while he understands tactical strategies, he can’t execute them.  This might make a good comedy, the type Peter Sellers would excel at; however, THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN is not played for laughs.  This makes the entire film rather ho-hum, providing a payday for stars who are capable of much better material.

Written and Directed by Jared Moshe, THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN is a simple tale of four old friends who turn on each other due to politics and money.  Set in the old West, the film’s only true charm is its genre.  So few Westerns are made in Hollywood these days, though they still have an intrinsic residence in our mythos.   

There are several holes in the climax large enough to engineer a train through; and some instances of slipshod editing.

Bill Pullman plays the title character.  His three friends are Peter Fonda, Jim Caviezel and Tommy Flanagan.  As stated, all three are deserving of better material.  The script is augmented by their presence, but all give only secondary performances.  Nothing more is required. 

I made it through THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN primarily because I enjoy Westerns, and secondarily because I kept waiting for Pullman’s Lefty Brown to do something worthy of a ballad.  But this is a ballad without glory.  It’s more of a ditty.