Old Henry – 2021 – Western, Drama
Directed by: Potsy Ponciroli
Written by: Potsy Ponciroli
Main Players: Tim Blake Nelson; Stephen Dorff; Scott Haze; Gavin Lewis

Titular character Henry (Nelson) tells us of a brief family history filled with a lot of travel, before he settled in Oklahoma territory as a farmer, which is what he is. It is life in the early 1900s: long and slow work days on the farm with crops and prepping meats, chopping wood and tending the lands.
Henry’s son Wyatt (Lewis) is unsure of how this existence is what his father wants, asking “Why did you settle here?” as he is bored with the remove life and the quiet lands. Yes, there is some mystery as to just what Henry’s life held before this simple life…
Then, finally, something on the horizon. A horse slowly trudges on the horizon, slowly walking along a nearby hillside. It holds a bloodied saddle, yet no rider. As Henry goes to look for the owner, the film splinters into new threads. With a new threat emerging, Henry tries to help how he can, however he finds that his own past is also coming back to face him.
Old Henry is a western through and through; however, the story has some solid turns, and it is a nice addition to the genre. The film is well shot and well crafted, both interesting and bleak at times. The small cast does a great job and bring emotional resonance to the characters. While it’s not full of action and gunfights, there is excitement when it matters.
While not all men can find redemption, maybe there is still some kind of solace to find.
See This If You Liked:
Hostiles; Blackthorn; The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; Open Range; True Grit (1969; 2010); 3:10 to Yuma (1957; 2007); The Proposition; The Shootist; Unforgiven; The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Score:
7.5