talonnatlanti The prodigal son returns, but his initial reception is chilly, by both the father and citizens of the town. Redemption occurs, but mostly for the father. as the redemption part of it will end up not what you expect.The Southerlands do a wonderful job of being father and son, but the best acting award goes to Demi Moore. I was actually amazed at how well she portrayed a rural, southern-ish farmer's wife. I am from the Southern US and find it insulting at times how actors absolutely fail to speak as we do, or as we did. Demi was almost PERFECT. Until this film, I was not a Demi Moore fan, but I will pay more attention to future films she works in after seeing her in this one.This film will not be an epic and will probably fade fast, remaining as something to watch late at night when one has nothing to do and cannot sleep. I, however, urge you to watch Forsaken as it is well worth your time. You will not feel l like you have wasted an hour or so with it, and you will truly feel both anger, and tearful, at times.

barbosa-vicki I really enjoyed this. As others have said, it's a classic western in the tradition of Ford, black hats and white hats. I enjoyed watching Kiefer Sutherland change from an embittered guilt-ridden ex-gunfighter to a stand-up guy driven to protect his father and the townsfolk. The relationship between father and son was very well done, the scenery beautiful, and the music the kind that goes with great westerns. Worth watching more than once.

SnoopyStyle John Henry Clayton (Kiefer Sutherland) returns home after 10 years of fighting in the Civil War and then roaming the land as a gunfighter. His mother had recently died. His troubled relationship with his father Reverend William Clayton (Donald Sutherland) deteriorates further with John's disbelief and violence. John intends to clear the land for his mother. His sweetheart Mary-Alice (Demi Moore) had married Tom Watson. Land baron James McCurdy (Brian Cox) has been harassing the local farmers with his henchmen led by Frank Tillman and buying their land on the cheap. As the murdering continues, McCurdy hires another civil war gunfighter Gentleman Dave Turner (Michael Wincott).I don't know if father and son had ever been father and son on screen. They certain have it in their scenes together. The problem is that the script is mostly unoriginal and TV director Jon Cassar does not have that cinematic visual flourish. Along with the Sutherlands, the bad guys are excellent actors. I would like more Brian Cox especially in the first half. There is a twist with Michael Wincott at the end that feels fresh. Aaron Poole is good. There are some great actors here who elevate this movie from time to time. Even Demi Moore is functional here. Her worn out appearance helps. Overall, this assembly of acting talent deserves better behind the camera.

davideo-2 STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning In 1872, gunslinger John Henry Clayton (Kiefer Sutherland) returns home from battle, hoping to mend bridges with his father, the Reverend William Clayton (Donald Sutherland), who disapproved of his life of violence. William coldly tells his son that his mother is dead, and things don't look like they'll shape up any time soon. But John Henry may have a chance to redeem himself when he crosses paths with a gang of brutes, led by the ruthless James McCurdy (Brian Cox), who are trying to force landowners out of their homes in order to get a big railway track built.It can often be the case that something that might have first of had potential many years ago doesn't have the same impact if it happens today. The pairing of legendary actor Donald Sutherland and his not so legendary (but still something of a *24* cultural icon) son Kiefer might have rocked the world ten/twenty years ago, but today it seems their pairing only amounts to this underwhelming little addition to the gently re-emerging western genre, that has all the right ingredients but no recipe to give it its own spice.Forsaken plays like the textbook genre training manual, plodding through by the numbers, and ticking off every cliché as it goes along. It's the most standard, uninspiring old west screenplay you can imagine, that never dares to deviate from the standard formula. Performances wise, lead star Sutherland has no meat to chew on in a largely emotionless role, but such is the weakness of the script that even a tearful confessional in the church doesn't have the impact it could have. Sutherland Sr. has a quiet dignity as his pious father, while Cox has his usual air of menace as the villain, which you know he is as he's the only character to keep saying 'f**king' over and over.With a further support cast in the shape of Michael Wincott and Demi Moore as the love interest, there's certainly no shortage of talent. It's all okay if you want something to just gently relax to, but a big letdown for those who like their westerns more dynamic. **