Notebook Reviews: WYATT EARP

Lawrence Kasdan – 1993

Directed, produced and co-written by Lawrence Kasdan, Wyatt Earp is a great looking historical epic. However, this western just doesn’t work despite a lot of great elements. It’s not bad, it’s just hugely disappointing. 

The cast is first rate – Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Bill Pullman and Michael Madsen – and they all do good work – but they aren’t served by a film which lacks narrative urgency. The 190 minute running time feels much longer and the film would have been much better if Kasdan had attempted to tell a smaller story. 

Kevin Costner makes a great (and stoic) Wyatt Earp and he’s brilliantly supported by Dennis Quaid‘s Doc Holliday – but they’re no match for Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer.

I hate to say it, but skip Wyatt Earp and go watch Tombstone instead.