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- What Is The Old Way About?
- The Old Way Does a Great Job of Showcasing the New Ways
- Colton and Brooke Are Neurodivergent
As a lifelong gamer and film enthusiast, I was initially put off by the negative reviews of “The Old Way,” a Western starring Nicolas Cage that recently became available on Hulu. With a low rating of 32% on Rotten Tomatoes, many critics called it bland, uncompelling, and perfunctory. However, having watched the film myself, I strongly disagree with these assessments.
In 2023, the traditional western film “The Old Way,” featuring Nicolas Cage in his first such role, made its debut on Hulu. Initially panned by critics with a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, they dismissed it as “uninteresting,” “insufficient,” “routine,” and even a “misguided attempt.” However, the positive feedback from the 70% of viewers who appreciated it on Rotten Tomatoes is worth considering.
In a seemingly ordinary western, “The Old Way,” there are noteworthy aspects worth mentioning. The bond between John Cage’s character, Colton Briggs, and his daughter Brooke, portrayed by Ryan Kiera Armstrong, is compelling and skillfully executed, particularly from the younger actress. Additionally, this film offers an intriguing exploration of neurodivergence, which was unheard-of in a pre-labeled era, making “The Old Way” a more thought-provoking watch than initially assumed.
What Is The Old Way About?
In an older tradition, the story opens with an attempt at executing Robert McCallister. However, his brother Walter McCallister intervenes and rescues him, resulting in Walter’s own death at the hands of Colton Briggs. Unperturbed by the events, Colton then shoots Robert dead, leaving behind a mourning young son, James (Everett Blunck).
In a surprising turn of events, twenty years have passed since the movie began, and Colton (now played by someone other than the younger Colton) has transformed into a settled family man. He is married to Ruth (Kerry Knuppe), they have a teenage daughter named Brooke, and Colton has given up his old ways as a gunslinger in favor of managing a general store. Just as life seems peaceful, a group of men led by an unfamiliar man named James McCallister (Noah Le Gros) arrive at Colton’s doorstep. In a horrifying twist, they brutally take Ruth’s life before Colton’s very eyes. A chilling revelation follows: James is none other than the grown-up son of the man Colton had killed in the opening scene. His thirst for vengeance has brought him back to seek retribution.
After McCallister and his gang have departed from the house, Colton and Brooke show up. Jarrett and his team are present at the scene, and Jarrett explains the situation to Colton, who has a past connection with him as a mercenary. Jarrett requests that Colton can’t join them in pursuing the criminals, but Colton disregards this instruction. Due to his reluctance to harm Brooke, he decides to bring her along instead.
The Old Way Does a Great Job of Showcasing the New Ways
An intriguing aspect of “The Old Way” lies in the fact that although Colton hails from a rough, lawless past devoid of concepts like incarceration or trials, the world has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. No longer do people resort to violent measures for trivial reasons such as a disapproving glance. Instead, they rely on the Marshall and his team to handle contentious situations.
Instead of “the old way triumphs over the new ways,” you could say “Colton clings to his traditional methods, defying the Marshall’s takeover of his wife’s case. He manages to apprehend the Marshall and his gang, binding them up in a secluded canyon. This action creates intriguing tension not only between Colton and McCallister but also between Colton and the Marshall.”
Colton and Brooke Are Neurodivergent
Despite being set in a time when it was rare, the most striking aspect of “The Old Way” lies in Colton and his daughter’s unique differences. Colton emphasizes this during a heartfelt conversation by the fireplace with Brooke. He shares that he has always experienced fear differently than others, feeling only fear for the loss of his one true love – his wife. It is strongly suggested that both Colton and his daughter exhibit neurodivergent traits, possibly falling within the autism spectrum.
I have observed Brooke’s behavior numerous times, and I am deeply moved by her unique abilities. For instance, she meticulously sorts jelly beans at her father’s store based on color, and astonishingly, she remembers a customer’s heartfelt story about his mother and her famous pie from days gone by. During one chilly evening by the fireplace, Brooke shares a profound secret with her father – she admits that she didn’t experience any emotions when her mother passed away.
In contrast to what some critics argued, it was intentional that Cage showed little emotion in The Old Way. His character’s detachment aligns with the story’s theme. Although screenwriter Carl W. Lucas and director Brett Donowho didn’t emphasize this aspect as strongly as possible, the unconventional approach adds intrigue to the narrative. The captivating performances of Cage and Armstrong as a reunited father-daughter duo under extreme circumstances effectively sustain the audience’s engagement throughout the film, despite some debatable scenes.
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2024-07-20 23:31