Director: Seth MacFarlane
Writers: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin, Wellesley Wild
Stars: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson, Giovanni Ribisi, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman
Running Time: 116 mins.
The American west is beautifully represented here as is the traditional western film with lush scenery and a soaring score. Now add really raunchy sexual content courtesy of Seth MacFarlane and his writing team along with a bold turn by raunchy standup comedian Sarah Silverman and you get what amounts to a crude, not so funny, sometimes funny, sometimes sweet comedy that is soon to be forgotten (at least by me).
Here’s the lowdown: a cowardly sheep farmer named Albert (MacFarlane) gets dumped by his girlfriend (Amanda Seyfried) who moves up to Foy, a rich mustache shop owner (Neil Patrick Harris). Albert’s severely depressed until he meets and falls for Anna (Charlize Theron), the new woman in town who just happens to be the wife of a notorious gunslinger named Clinch (Liam Neeson).
Anna keeps her identity a secret but proves a crackerjack shot who helps train Albert to regain his honor and confidence in a duel with Foy. Then Clinch shows up, discovers that his wife ’s been playing him and he goes gunning for Albert the sap who now has to step up his courage in order to confront the vicious bandit. Some of them all live happily ever after.
Lotta says true fans of MacFarlane’s over the top humor will probably enjoy his take on the western. For my money, more sweetness and less crude would have gone a long way. This gets a one-boner for the sweetness factor and because I'm sure Seth would appreciate one.