The Proposition

A bloody morality play based on a script by Nick Cave. I'm very fond of this musician, poet and occasional Renaissance screenwriter, and as the splendidly grizzled and dirty Guy Pearce rides through the impressive Australian landscape accompanied by a whispering voice, it's impossible not to feel the touch of Cave's poetic soul. Even a few interesting dialogues indicated who the author was, but the story needed some more work. It is too simple and predictable. After the final slaughter I felt absolute emptiness, unpleasant feelings and no need to watch this unusual bloodbath again. Still, I recommend it, such a rough and unconventional film hasn't been in our cinemas for a long time and it's worth making up your own mind about it. (14/09/2006)

The perfect atmosphere, great actors playing ambiguous characters, the captivating music, the beautiful cinematography... are all covered by a simple story written according to the most relaxed Western templates. The credits end and the feedback resonance is nowhere to be found. (27/05/2009)

A balladic western, whose atmosphere recalls Jarmusch's much more famous film Dead Man. I won't ponder over which one is better, Jarmusch's film is certainly more layered, but both of them made an impression on me. I have written multiple times that I don't have a positive relationship with westerns as a genre, but if films in this genre were as good as this one, I essentially wouldn't have any issues with them. Spaghetti westerns once brought entertainment back to a dying genre, and experimenters like Hillcoat or Jarmusch brought them a great added value in the form of quality. The movie combines balladic storytelling about a ruthless conflict between a gang of desperados and a police chief who wants to bring civilization and functioning law to the remote corners, with naturalistic and even brutal moments, sparing neither blood nor intense scenes full of violence. It also certainly avoids the usual mistake of having black-and-white characters. Here, everyone is more or less dirty, and good, if it is good at all, wins only by chance. The film is also interesting in its portrayal of the detrimental character of spreading European civilization at the expense of indigenous inhabitants. Overall impression: 90%. (23/06/2012)

The dirty atmosphere, with flies circling and buzzing over it, makes the perfect frame for this picture about revenge. Cave’s melancholic story is full of big thoughts, strong emotions and sand, grafting a western classic onto the land down-under so boldly that it makes it difficult for the viewer to catch his breath. (02/10/2011)

An unusually bloody and raw film with uncompromising main characters and unique aesthetics. The music and some of the thoughts of the main heroes are also peculiar. Unfortunately, in terms of the screenplay, it’s a very simple film that will not leave your mind only thanks to a few brutal scenes. (28/08/2010)

I've always liked Nick Cave as a singer but I had no idea about his other talents. He really pulled off the script to this movie. The plot is absolutely unpredictable, the acting is great, and a special mention goes to the performance of the fly-tamer and his ensemble. What the Australian flies did in the film was simply a treat. I'm also very grateful for the fact that smells don't carry over along with the picture and sound. This film would probably have brought tears to my eyes. The only thing that slightly annoyed me was the tedious wandering through the country. Otherwise, I fully enjoyed the film. Sure, it was raw, but extremely high quality. (24/07/2017)

Director John Hillcoat and writer, author, and musician Nick Cave are now a proven duo that delivers films that certainly cannot be deemed bad. They have already collaborated on three films, two of which are well-known even in my country. Their debut together, Ghosts... of the Civil Dead, isn’t as recognized, but their second collaboration, The Proposition, was a success. The duo finds understanding primarily among critics, and commercial success is always up for debate. The truth is that Lawless differs from their previous films and has done fairly well commercially. However, let’s focus on The Proposition, which is my first introduction to this duo. I know John Hillcoat so far as the director of The Road, where he held his own against the brilliant source material. The Proposition is a purely original work by Nick Cave, which is evident in the excellent soundtrack that has managed to take my breath away several times—in a good way, of course. I know Nick Cave as the author of "The Death of Bunny Munro," a story that has influenced my writing, particularly in the portrayal of sexual scenes. When written well, they can serve the narrative brilliantly and don’t have to be viewed solely as a means to excite or attract a male audience. Erotica is a powerful weapon, not just in the bedroom. The Proposition falls into a completely different category. It’s a western, but definitely not a classic one. The story is relatively simple. There are three siblings, the oldest of whom is a real scoundrel. The middle brother has a choice: nothing will happen to him or the youngest as long as he kills his older brother within a week. If he doesn’t, the youngest brother will die. It’s a hard ultimatum to swallow, but the middle brother agrees. This is the proposition referred to in the film's title. The plot is quite straightforward, wouldn’t you say? However, that doesn’t change the fact that the film is very well executed and works as a modern western. You don’t even have to be in the Wild West to understand how harsh life can sometimes be. Life doesn’t coddle either brother, but in the end, it’s always family that resolves the issues. It has strong, bloody scenes, a good story, and excellent music. The Proposition made a lasting impression on me. (02/03/2013)