Watch The Homesman

The Homesman, released in 2014, is a western drama film directed by and starring Tommy Lee Jones as George Briggs. The movie also stars Hilary Swank as Mary Bee Cuddy and Grace Gummer as Arabella Sours. It is based on the novel of the same name by Glendon Swarthout. The Homesman is set in the 1850s American Midwest and follows three women who have suffered from mental breakdowns and psychological trauma. Mary Bee Cuddy, a strong and independent woman, is tasked with transporting the women from Nebraska to Iowa, where they can be cared for by a pastor's wife.

As the story begins, the movie introduces us to Mary Bee Cuddy, who lives alone on the frontier and is known in the town as a capable and determined woman. She takes care of her own farm, hunts, and plays the piano. Due to her unmarried status, she is called an "old maid" by the townsfolk, and they believe she is incapable of ever finding a husband. However, Mary Bee is more concerned with her own survival than with societal expectations.

One day, the local religious leaders ask Mary Bee to transport three mentally ill women to a church in Iowa. The women had been driven to their mental breakdowns by the hardships of the frontier life: one of them gave birth to a stillborn baby, while another lost all her children to diphtheria. The third woman is Arabella Sours, who is portrayed as a spoiled brat and has irreparably lost her mind after being rejected by a suitor.

Mary Bee agrees to transport the women, and she sets out on her journey with George Briggs (Tommy Lee Jones), who she saves from facing a public hanging. They are both reluctant travel partners, as Briggs is a rogue and has no interest in helping Mary Bee, but she forces him to assist her in exchange for his freedom.

Throughout the journey, the movie portrays the harsh reality of the frontier life, with the characters facing many challenges, such as inclement weather, lack of food and water, and constant threat of violence from Indigenous people. As they travel, Mary Bee and George Briggs have to face many obstacles, both physical and emotional, and they must learn to trust each other if they are to complete their mission.

The Homesman is an emotionally charged and thought-provoking movie that explores different themes such as loneliness, mental illness, identity, and the American frontier. It portrays the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, and how even the strongest and most resilient of them can break under the weight of their hardships. Hilary Swank's performance as Mary Bee Cuddy is outstanding; she delivers a nuanced performance that brings depth to the character and captures the essence of her struggle.

Tommy Lee Jones, who also directed the movie, delivers a compelling performance as the reluctant partner, George Briggs. He brings a level of complexity to the character that is not seen in many westerns, portraying a man who is trying to find his place in a changing world. Grace Gummer, who plays Arabella Sours, is also noteworthy, bringing a sense of desperation and madness to her character that is chilling to watch.

The Homesman is a beautifully shot movie that captures the vastness and beauty of the American Midwest. The cinematography and score are excellent, helping to set the tone and mood of the movie. The film's pacing is slow but deliberate, allowing the characters to develop and the story to unfold at a natural pace.

Overall, The Homesman is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that portrays the harsh realities of the American frontier in a subtle and nuanced way. It is a movie that challenges the viewer, emotionally and intellectually, and is definitely worth watching for anyone who enjoys a good western or a thought-provoking drama.

The Homesman is a 2014 western with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 68.