Made in Austin and shot on the most beautiful digital video I've ever seen, "The Journeyman" is a classic Western made for modern audiences. While most cinematic forays into the historical past, such as Westerns, actually lack verisimilitude, "The Journeyman" at least attempts to explore uncharted terrains of realism in the genre. For example, the film's plot contains a morphine addict, travelling whores, an obvious homosexual (if he wasn't obvious, how would we known he was a homosexual?) and at least a minor reference to child sexual abuse. This isn't your typical TNT made-for-cable fare. Still, the film could easily find an audience at such an outlet.

Revolving around the tired cliche of a posse after a robber, the film becomes a "revenge" movie. An initial scene with Willie Nelson and two young boys sets up the plot. But filmmaker James Crowley works to establish his story much like a modern drama or gangster film. With it's multiple characters and it's actors of similar "looks," the film is sometimes hard to follow. Still Crowley makes it as easy as possible for us to keep up and gives us visual and expositional clues at exactly the right moments.

And it is Crowley's minute touches that help to make the film so successful and interesting. Small things like an unusual gun carried by one of the characters, which is never mentioned, or the brightly colored "medicine show" type wagon that conveys the whores which has a sign on the side proclaiming the inhabitants business (Gore's Whores!) and suggesting in bold lettering "Fathers Bring Your Sons." These are wonderful, small and unusual touches not normally found in the standard fare of the genre that help to add realism and interest to each scene.

Along with country music icon Nelson, a couple other recognizable faces pop up. Barry Corbin, a Texas actor probably best known for his work on TV's "Northern Exposure" is one of these. But it is young thesp Dash Mihok who makes the best impression here, stealing every scene he is in with his slightly goofy delivery of a bad guy turning good. Mihok may go a bit over the top at times but his antics never fail to please. It's a wonderful performance and gives the film a gentle balance, keeping it from becoming too serious and dark.

"The Journeyman" is really a nice piece of work. Able to easily engross fans of the Western, the film will also please those who do not normally seek out such fare.

Note:

In English and some Spanish with subtitles.

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