While Westerns may not be as prolific as in Hollywood's Golden Age, the genre persists through themes of loneliness, justice, and vigilantism. 'Sweet Virginia,' a neo-western, explores these themes in a modern context. The film follows Sam Rossi, a retired rodeo star, whose quiet life in Alaska is disrupted by the arrival of Elwood, a mysterious man who befriends him. As criminal activity escalates, Sam's past and the threat posed by Elwood collide, forcing him to confront his own potential for heroism.
Although there aren’t quite as many Westerns made today as there were during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the genre is still highly influential upon modern cinema. A film doesn’t necessarily need to be set amidst the frontier era or in the Wild West to be considered a Western, as it can still address relevant themes in regards to loneliness, justice, and vigilantism.
What Is ‘Sweet Virginia’ About? Close Bernthal stars in Sweet Virginia as the former rodeo star Sam Rossi, who was forced to retire from his profession due to a critical injury that prevented him from performing physically taxing activities. Sam now operates a small motel in Alaska, where he leads a quiet life as he contemplates where his future may lead him. Abbott co-stars as Elwood, an enigmatic man who befriends Sam, who finally begins to feel comfortable opening up to someone else.
Although it begins with a shocking instance of violence that makes the stakes very clear, Sweet Virginia is a quiet, contemplative film about wounded masculinity that builds up to its moments of suspense. Bernthal does a great job at showing a grief-stricken character who has lived a life of regrets; beyond the fact that his profession as a rodeo star has obvious western connotations, Sam is coded to feel like a former gunslinger who is trying to find peace.
Christopher Abbott Is Terrifying in ‘Sweet Virginia' Abbott does a great job at playing a manipulative villain who is able to hide in plain sight. The most unsettling aspect of the character is that Elwood is brutally honest about everything, which is what initially inspires Sam to strike up a friendship with him.
Abbott works as an effective antagonist because he challenges the hero, as Sam is forced to question whether delivering justice will make him just as bad as Elwood. A common theme within many classic Westerns is that the hero and villain have much more in common than they had initially realized, which can lead to startling revelations.
Neo-Western Sweet Virginia Jon Bernthal Christopher Abbott Wounded Masculinity Justice Vigilante
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