“All The Pretty Horses” was directed by Billy Bob Thornton and features Matt Damon, Henry Thomas, Penelope Cruz and Lucas Black. It follows the lives of two Texans who go on a trip to Mexico in search of work and escape.

Directed by Billy Bob Thornton, “All the Pretty Horses” is based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel and tells the story of two young Texan men in 1949 who seek a more fulfilling life as cowboys in a fading old west.With a team of two great movie heavyweights — Matt Damon and Thorton — it’s a solid film that is a must see if one is tired of the same old thing.Matt Damon plays John Grady Cole, the last in a long line of generation ranchers, who is about to lose his grandfather’s ranch due to improper inheritance. So he and his friend Lacey Rawlins (Henry Thomas) decide to head for Mexico in pursuit of some big time ranching and a little excitement.On the way to Mexico the two discover an even younger drifter named Blevins (Lucas Black) who has stolen a horse and is filled with mischief. Against Lacey’s wishes, a compassionate John Grady decides to let the barley teenager ride with them.As soon as the three enter Mexico, the problems begin. In an overnight thunder and lighting storm, Blevins gets his horse and gun stolen. When they enter a town the next day, the items are discovered at a small Mexican ranch.The three plan to steal the horse back that night, but things don’t go as planned and Blevins is separated from the other two in their attempts to get away.Without Blevins, Lacey and John Grady find work on a large ranch and quickly become popular because of their advanced skills. Everything is going fine until John Grady meets his boss’s daughter, Alejandra (Penelope Cruz).The two develop a romantic interest in each other which begins to hurt John Grady’s relationship with Lacey and with Alejandra’s over-protective aunt.But before anything else can happen with that situation, the earlier troubles with Blevins and the stolen horse catch up to John Grady and Lacey. They’re arrested and taken to a Mexican jail cell.While trying to get his gun back, Blevins had accidentally shot a man. There, Blevins sits in a battered and beaten state and all three of them are charged with murder. The movie continues with John Grady and Lacey in a Mexican prison, constantly fighting for their lives.After what seemed like two hours of prison footage edited down to fit it’s allotted half hour time slot, the two are released.The pair return to their jobs, and John Grady discovers that Alejandra’s aunt was responsible for their release from prison, but in return, he can not speak to or see Alejandra ever again.Their love story develops a Shakespearean feel as John Grady is willing to do absolutely anything for the two of them to be together. Alejandra is worried about her reputation, which is very important for women in her culture.Director Billy Bob Thorton does a good job of making a refreshing film with the acting, scenery and cinematography. But this is another one of those movies that was meant to be about twice as long as it is shown in the theater, and that is painfully obvious during certain parts of this film.Though Damon’s acting is outstanding, he seems a little old and mature to play the role of young and adventurous rancher.Henry Thomas is pretty good as Lacey and the amazingly beautiful Penelope Cruz isn’t too bad herself. But there is a distracting aspect to the way she talks — she sounds like a 4-year-old girl.The biggest acting surprise from “All the Pretty Horses” is Lucas Black. His portrayal of the young rebel Blevins will definitely pave his way into Hollywood.With an unexpected ending that makes great sense and leaves you thinking a little harder than most movie fluff, “All The Pretty Horses” is worth checking out.

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