Hi-Lo Country, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

Being a cowboy is a way of life in 1940's eastern New Mexico. But with the advent of more modern cars and other technology, things have begun to change. Pete Calder (Billy Crudup) and Big Boy Matson (Woody Harrelson) are two of those cowboys. And after their return from serving in WWII, they determine to continue the cowboy way of life. But, the town has changed, and most of the ranches in the area have been bought up by Jim Ed Love (Sam Elliot), a rich cattle man who has most of the townspeople working for him. Pete and Big Boy have also fallen in love with the same woman, Mona, who just happens to be married to one of Jim's most trusted employees. So, as Pete and Big Boy struggle to make it as cowboys and pursue Mona, the tension rises in a town where people settle things their own way. The Hi-Lo Country is beautifully filmed, with a number of great panoramic shots of cattle driving over the eastern New Mexico countryside. Even though the story tends to sputter in a few places, this western will do moderately well at the box office on account of the great cast.

One positive aspect of this film is the hard-working nature of all of the characters. They are all seen as doing tough, back-breaking work to earn their living. However, since it is a western, it contains its share of barfights, heavy drinking, and smoking. None of these fights are graphic and are usually just a lot of punching and rolling around on the ground. Along with all this rough living goes lots of rough language, including many mild and moderate crudities, 24 obscenities and many regular profanities. Also, there are two sex scenes with graphic motions in the film and one of them contains shadowy female breast nudity. In another scene, some people visit a witch and ask her to predict the future, which she does for them. Her predictions turn our to be accurate which makes witchcraft appear to be valid. This favorable portrayal of witchcraft, along with the explicit sexual scenes and incessant profanities and obscenities make The Hi-Lo Country moderately objectionable.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures, 9247 Alden Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210