All the Pretty Horses

In directing this romantic homage to the great American cowboy epic, Billy Bob Thornton adheres honorably to the code of the Western and emerges with a familiar and satisfying--if not entirely memorable--eulogy to a lifestyle that rode off into the sunset some time last century. With surprisingly sound 10-gallon hat credibility, Matt Damon stars as a former rancher clinging to the cowboy way as he tries to find a new life in Mexico after losing his family's long-time homestead. Riding south with his pardner Henry Thomas (also unexpectedly convincing as a cowboy) and a sharpshootin' young runaway (Lucas Black), Damon finds work with Mexico's wealthiest rancher (Ruben Blades) and trouble with the rancher's breathtaking, strong-willed daughter (Penelope Cruz). Forced to trim the film, Thornton apparently sped up this romance in editing and sacrificed some character development. Still, All the Pretty Horses is a handsome, well-acted cinema throwback, even if it comes up a little short. Optional. (R. Blackwelder)