Painted Woman (2017)
Adapted from prolific western novelist Dusty Richard’s “Mustanger and the Lady,” 'Painted Woman' is the story of Julie Richards Julie is a woman of her time, passed from hand to hand in a web of abuse and prostitution, landing her at the feet of Kyle Allison. Allison, a wealthy powerbroker of the old west town of Goldfield, took young Julie into his home and made her his trophy. This life came with the gift of being taken care of and the cost of more abuse. As Julie’s time with Allison is coming to a dangerous close, Julie is given two chances of escape, with two very different men… The story of PAINTED WOMAN is two distinct chapters in Julie's life, with each chapter mirroring the other. Chapter one follows Julie meeting Frank. It is told mostly at night in the town of Goldfield. Chapter two follows the Mustanger. It takes place in the wilderness and is told mostly during the day.
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Howdy, y'all! This film showed us to never hang our heads down, but that COURAGE is being scared to death and saddling up anyways! This is a beautifully told story of a woman always being kicked when she's down and finding strength in the most unlikely of places. The cinematography is stunning and the locations take you back in time. I tip my hat to the crew, they delivered!
This film is beautiful, a moving story about one woman's difficult journey. It is a film for all audiences. Each scene is gorgeous. Excellent performances and direction by James Cotten. I highly recommend!
Especially in the times we are living - when men are being called out for bad behavior- it is refreshing and meaningful to see a classic Western from the beleaguered woman's point of view. Clearly, life is not easy for any of these characters. There is struggle and darkness on all sides, but director James Cotten shows us a new, creative slant on a tried and true setting - while, at the same time giving the audience everything that has made this traditional American genre so popular. The scenery is spectacular, the acting harnesses true emotion that translate into all levels of sorrow, passion, anger, insecurity, zeal and redemption. In the end, there is a satisfying conclusion to a story that never sugar coats the long and often painful road to self discovery. Painted Woman is a film worth seeing more than once.
I was overwhelmed with this story. There was a true sense of pain felt for the main character. The acting and directing in this was superb. All of the emotions were genuine yet nothing was contrived. If you like a great story arc then this film is for you. The payoff was amazing and truly satisfying. (Also, my favorite character is Chato. You will see why.)