“South of Heaven, West of Hell” (2000) is a strange adult Western featuring Dwight Yoakam, who also directed and wrote the script. He’s known for his music career but has had some acting roles previously, like in “Sling Blade.” Here, he takes on the lead role alongside a cast including Luke Askew, Vince Vaughn, Paul Reubens, Peter Fonda, Bo Hopkins, and Matt Clark. The story follows a marshal in southern Arizona (Yoakam) pursuing a group of bank robbers he knew growing up, with a woman (Bridget Fonda) briefly diverting his focus. The film has moments of beauty—the cinematography and the romantic aspects stand out—but it also presents a harsh view of the Old West, similar to what’s found in films like “The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid” and Peckinpah's "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid." If you appreciate Westerns with an artistic bent, such as "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" or "The Missouri Breaks," this might be worth checking out; though it’s probably not the strongest of that group (with Brando’s “The Missouri Breaks” being arguably the best, even if “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” has its own merits). The violence is presented in a unique and sometimes humorous way. Dwight Yoakam also composed the music, which doesn't always work well, particularly during the film’s second half, suggesting an attempt at quirky humor or black comedy. Billy Bob Thornton appears in a small but interesting role. However, much of the latter portion feels poorly made. While Yoakam was clearly aiming for something experimental and artistic, I found it to be awkward, unengaging, and even amateurish, leaving me with a negative impression. It’s not surprising that the film failed at the box office and hasn't gained a dedicated following. I do acknowledge Dwight’s effort and willingness to take chances (some of which were successful), but ultimately it became a difficult experience. A rewrite could have helped realize the script’s potential and address its shortcomings, but Yoakam lacked the necessary funds—he reportedly sold his Malibu mansion to help finance the project. He had access to good actors and enough money for a decent Western, but he seemed out of his depth. It feels like an imitation of a Tarantino Western. Bridget Fonda, Peter Fonda’s daughter, made only six more films and a few television appearances before retiring from acting in 2002. The film's running time is 2 hours and 11 minutes; it was filmed in southeastern Arizona, including locations like Sharp's Ranch historical site in San Rafael Valley, Old Tucson, Mescal, and Benson. GRADE: C/C-

Source on TMDB