This film, adapted from a novel, marks Tommy Lee Jones’s directorial debut and features his acting as well. It's an uncommon, grounded western drama featuring a strong ensemble cast. The story unfolds around 1850 and centers on three women experiencing mental illness who are being transported to an institution by a man and the woman who employed him—a transaction meant to save his life. What happens during this journey is the focus of the narrative. Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank both delivered strong performances. She was particularly noteworthy, conveying her character’s desire for a conventional existence with a spouse and family, something highly valued in that period. Even at his age, Jones excelled in every aspect of his involvement with the film; his artistic direction proved to be especially admirable. It had been quite some time since I'd encountered such an enjoyable western movie. However, certain plot points would have benefited from more clarity, like one particular death depicted onscreen. While aspects were understandable given the setting and era, others might not resonate with all viewers due to a lack of detail. It wasn’t a flawed film, though. The characters weren't introduced through standard means; instead, their development unfolded alongside the story itself, allowing for a sense of familiarity by the conclusion. The final scenes included some brief appearances that really captured attention. This isn’t your typical western and is absolutely worth seeing—that’s my recommendation. 7/10

Source on TMDB