‘Rust’ Review: Alec Baldwin Leads a Competent but Uninspired Western Haunted by Death and Scandal

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In an alternate scenario, Joel Souza’s film “Rust” might have quietly debuted with modest fanfare and some positive critical reviews. The movie tells a story about a 13-year-old boy named Patrick Scott McDermott who evades the law after receiving a death sentence for accidentally killing a local rancher. Joined by his estranged grandfather, played by Alec Baldwin, they embark on a journey reminiscent of traditional Westerns filled with bandits and cowboys. The film captures stunning landscapes and delves into the ethical quandaries deeply rooted in many American legends.

However, it’s important to note that “Rust” carries a more complex history. Four years ago, a tragic incident occurred on the set of this film. The co-writer and producer, Baldwin, unintentionally discharged a firearm he believed was loaded with blanks. Regrettably, a live round was in the chamber, leading to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The aftermath was a sensationalized news story that exposed negligence on set and raised concerns about safety protocols within the industry. Baldwin faced charges for involuntary manslaughter, but his case was eventually dropped due to newly discovered evidence that Baldwin’s attorneys claimed had been concealed by prosecutors. The film’s prop armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was also charged and is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence.

Despite Baldwin settling with Hutchins’ relatives (with Matthew Hutchins becoming an executive producer) and receiving criticism in the past, he once again faced backlash from the public. A petty blame game among the main crew members was noticeable, and as more details emerged about the production’s culture, it became apparent that things were not running smoothly. Just before filming began, the first camera assistant decided to leave, expressing concerns about how gunfights were handled in a reckless manner.

I had the privilege of working alongside Alec Baldwin and Joel Souza on the final leg of the filming for “Rust,” with Bianca Cline behind the camera. However, the movie seems to carry the lingering shadow of its own history. Dedicated to Hutchins, it weaves thematic threads that eerily echo Baldwin’s real-life situation. The narrative is driven by an accidental killing and grapples with the central moral dilemma of a notorious character striving for redemption. Baldwin delivers a poignant performance as Rust, the troubled protagonist and grandfather of the accused, a role that undeniably reflects his own turmoil.

In the jailhouse where Lucas is being detained for murder, we first notice Rust’s presence by the sound of his metal spurs striking against the wooden floors as he walks. Earlier scenes showed that following the death of their mother, Lucas and his younger brother Jacob (Easton Malcolm) managed to get by in a small Wyoming settlement during the 1800s, surviving with help from kind neighbors and living on the family farm they inherited.

Following an incident where Jacob was bullied, Lucas responds by injuring the bully’s arm. Angered about losing a worker, the boy’s father offers Lucas a job on his farm. However, Lucas unintentionally doesn’t mean to harm the rancher. Instead, he’s in a state of distraction while attempting to hunt a wolf that had been causing problems on his own property. Sadly, he accidentally shoots and kills the rancher instead. The court finds him guilty and sentences him to death by hanging. This unfortunate sequence of events is portrayed with sincere emotion by McDermott in his acting.

Lucas’ apprehension is evident as Rust arrives to pick him up from jail. The details surrounding Rust’s appearance are unclear and wrapped in a mystery that becomes clearer later on. What we do understand is that he’s come to take his grandson, whom he hasn’t had contact with before — and they’re heading south of the border, where the law can’t reach him. Despite his doubts, Lucas chooses to go along with Rust, feeling a strong desire to stay alive. With a mix of unease and necessity, he sets off with Rust.

The tale of this duo on the run intertwines with two additional narratives. One follows Sheriff Wood Helm (portrayed by Josh Hopkins) in his pursuit; the other involves a zealously religious bounty hunter, Fenton Lang (skillfully played by Travis Fimmel). Souza finds it challenging to harmonize these three viewpoints as they don’t always align. The motifs – justice, religion in 19th-century America, and outlaws – vie for screen time and at times overcrowd the movie.

As I search for Rust and Lucas, I can’t help but ponder the fate of my own son, battling a life-threatening illness. Souza’s script and Hopkins’ acting hint at personal turmoil, yet the weight of that pain isn’t as vividly portrayed as it could be. The same issue seems to linger with Fenton, whose cold-blooded demeanor and chilling religious fixation suggest a tale larger than what Rust can accommodate. Each narrative explores a piece of 19th-century America, where the young nation was intoxicated by the dream of Westward expansion and blindly pursued Manifest Destiny. However, these stories don’t flow together as seamlessly as they do in Clint Eastwood’s Westerns, for instance.

In terms of various aspects such as cinematography and choreographed fight sequences, Rust appears to surpass its counterpart in many ways. It’s hard to discern where Hutchins’ contributions end and Cline’s begin, yet the overall outcome is seamless and visually captivating. There are several striking scenes that cleverly utilize shadows and silhouettes, and there’s no scarcity of intensely staged gunfights. Stunning vistas of the American West serve to emphasize the vastness of the landscape as Rust and Lucas traverse the challenging terrain. Some portrayals, like those depicting indigenous Americans, lean towards painfully stereotypical; however, others, such as settlers in uncharted territories, are more thought-provoking.

Essentially, what Rust seems to lack is a bit more depth. The movie is well-crafted and can be quite engaging at moments, but it has a somewhat ordinary feel that hinders its pace. It’s a visually appealing production, yet a narrative about such intricate characters should evoke stronger emotions, and Rust finds it challenging to achieve this.

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2025-05-01 07:25