All the Pretty Horses MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

After his grandfather dies in 1949, John Grady Cole (Matt Damon) learns that his mother, a city dweller, plans to sell the family's west Texas ranch, which is all John Grady has ever known. So, he and his best friend, Lacey Rawlins (Henry Thomas), decide to travel to Old Mexico, where cowhands are still in demand. On the way, a young man named Jimmy Blevins (Lucas Black) joins them and proves to be a handful for the two friends. Eventually, Blevins heads his own way and the cowboys' journey takes them to one of the largest ranches in all of Mexico, owned by Don Hector Rocha (Ruben Blades). While working on the ranch, John is immediately attracted to Rocha's beautiful daughter, Alejandra (Penelope Cruz). But an incident with Blevins a few months earlier comes back to haunt the Texas boys. ALL THE PRETTY HORSES features some beautiful cinematography of the expansive West Texas prairie and rugged mountains of Mexico. Although Damon and Cruz should draw the crowds, the story seems disjointed and pointless which could shorten the box office run.

In their journey, John Grady and Lacey hold several discussions about God, heaven, and hell. While this somewhat spiritual theme appears to tie the ends of the film together, its connection to the story is difficult to understand. One character clearly expresses belief in a god, but what he means is unclear. A sexual relation is implied with Alejandra and side breast nudity occurs in a few scenes. One scene shows a brutal killing. Foul language is the biggest offender as the cowboys' conversation often includes obscenities, strong profanities, and crudities. Rough language, sexual content, and a brutally violent scene make ALL THE PRETTY HORSES an undesirable ride.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Miramax Films, 375 Greenwich, NY, NY 10013