Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger) goes from Harvard dropout to cowboy in Gabe Polsky’s new film Butcher’s Crossing, with the script written by Polsky and Liam Satre-Meloy, based on a book by John Williams.
Andrews is looking for adventure on the open frontier. School wasn’t cutting it, and now he’s looking for people to travel with. He meets Miller (Nicolas Cage), a man in the Buffalo-killing business. Andrews asks to join Miller on his next journey, which is to hunt a mysterious herd of buffalo, and the young man can join them for a flat fee of $500. He promises this will be the biggest haul of his life. Will seems to lack social and life skills as he enters a cowboy ho-down and doesn’t know how to dance or talk to women. At least he’s aware and not trying to be someone he isn’t. That’s why the boy has to join Miller on this ride–to learn how to be a man–and he has no idea what he’s getting into.
Out on the range, Will shoots a rifle for the first time, goes hunting, learns to skin a buffalo, and what their body parts are used for. His determination to acquire each skill leads to him being embraced by Miller and his rag-tag group of hunters. The young man learns about each member, learns their quirks, and digests the knowledge they imparted to him. Eventually, Miller’s stubbornness causes the group to get caught in the middle of a heavy snowstorm that traps them for longer than expected. Every day that frost sets in and supplies run low, the group loses touch with reality. Will then begins to ask himself: Was this worth it?
Butcher’s Crossing is a 19th century coming-of-age story that raises questions regarding masculinity and what it takes to be a “real man.” Poor Will is so directionless, much like this film. As a character, his hero’s journey isn’t engrossing. He’s the subject of this movie and isn’t portrayed as an observer but a background character in his own story. The men he’s surrounded by are also one-note — something that no one should say about Nicolas Cage, but here we are. The sweeping mountain landscapes are stunning because of David Gallego’s cinematography, but since most of the film takes place at night, seeing the fruits of his labor is nearly impossible. In some scenes, it’s hard to make out faces or movements.
Butcher’s Crossing aims to create a conversation around toxic masculinity and what that looks like through the eyes of a young novice. However, it’s too busy toeing the line to make a strict statement on what that means to its main character.