Movieweb
By Julian Roman
March 14, 2019
Never Grow Old is a dark, gritty western from Irish
writer/director Ivan Kavanagh. A trio of repugnant outlaws take over a bleak
frontier town. Their lawless, godless ways clashing with the fire and brimstone
preachings of a temperance movement. Never Grow Old is an unforgiving look at
human nature. The rain and mud soaked setting matching the ugliness of the
premise. The film is absolutely riveting. John Cusack has his best performance
in years as the terrifying and murderous villain.
The film opens in the frontier town of Garlow. The year
is 1849. Emile Hirsch stars as Patrick Tate, an Irish undertaker and carpenter struggling
to make ends meet. He has a beautiful pregnant wife, Audrey (Déborah François),
and two small children. The family is happy, even under the strict religious
rule of the town preacher (Danny Webb); who has banned liquor and prostitution.
A stormy night brings three dangerous men to Patrick's
door. Dutch Albert (John Cusack) and his vicious gang are searching for a
former partner. Dutch wants a drink. He's keen to learn the town has no saloon
or women for hire. Dutch buys the local hotel and turns it into a
rabble-rousing brothel. Patrick is soon awash in business burying dead bodies.
But as his coffer grows, the town's descent into despair tests Patrick's
resolve. He's increasingly alarmed by Dutch's mute, tongueless sidekick,
Dum-Dum's (Sam Louwyck), ominous attention to Audrey.
Ivan Kavanagh enthralls with this gripping tale of
morality. Emile Hirsch as Patrick and his immigrant family struggled for
acceptance by the town's bible-beating Christians. Their favor was harsh, but
peaceful. When Dutch starts to rule, he gives Garlow's men the fleshly sins
they crave. He has no belief or respect for religion. Dutch emasculates Patrick
with zero fear of recourse. Bury the dead, take your money, and keep watch over
that pretty wife. The relationship between the two men is skillfully crafted.
The boundary between right and wrong is clear. Each man must make his choice to
cross it.
John Cusack is nearly unrecognizable. His calm demeanor
and sinister dialogue makes Dutch Albert spectacularly threatening. He isn't
the mustache twirling, bad guy wearing black, western archetype. Cusack's long
stringy hair and perpetually wet face amplifies his evil countenance. I love
that Kavanagh never has Dutch Albert raising his voice. You hang on his every
word as if it's the last you'll ever hear. Dutch Albert's victims get a cold
reckoning before he finishes them off. John Cusack hasn't been this good in as
long as I can remember.
Garlow itself is instrumental in setting the dreary mood.
The town is covered in mud and dirt. The aged wood buildings and muted colors
amplifying the dread. Dutch Albert relishes in despoiling the
"sh*thole". The dismal town gives no pause to his criminal
activities. Ivan Kavanagh does an excellent job pairing his script with the environment.
Never Grow Old is a welcome reprieve from the terrible
westerns I've seen recently. The film is gloomy as hell, but a must see for
fans of the genre. I love an understated antagonist. Ivan Kavanagh breathes new
life into John Cusack. He reminds us of the actor's formidable talent. Never
Grow Old is an Irish production from Ripple World Pictures. It will be
distributed in North America by Saban Films.
[Thanks to Chris Casey for connecting me to this review.]
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