Movie review: Teen angst meets the Wild West in coming-of-age drama 'The Kid'
“The Kid” - ★ ★
Veteran actor Ethan Hawke is having quite the run these days. Many feel he was robbed of an Oscar nod for “First Reformed,” and he's the most substantial reason to see “The Kid,” Vincent D'Onofrio's new thinly executed coming-of-age Western.
The “kid” in the title is not, actually, Billy the Kid, the renowned outlaw whose story loosely inspires the film. It's a 13-year-old named Rio (Jake Schur), who, as we begin, witnesses his mother being beaten to death by his evil father. Rio manages to shoot and kill his dad - only to face the wrath of his vengeful uncle (Chris Pratt, in true villain mode). Rio and his older sister, Sara (Leila George), just barely escape into the night.
On the run, with only a vague plan of finding their mother's friend in Santa Fe (the action is in late 19th-century New Mexico), they take refuge in an abandoned shack, where they run smack into Billy (Dane DeHaan) and his companions. Billy's also on the run, his pursuer none other than Pat Garrett (Hawke), the new sheriff in Lincoln County.
When Garrett and his men find and capture Billy, Rio and Sara - lying about the reason for their journey - hitch a ride to Santa Fe. Along the way, Rio comes to admire Billy, portrayed by DeHaan as roguish and charming, and even helps him try to break free. Arriving in Santa Fe, Rio and Sara run off - straight into a trap laid by evil Uncle Grant, who kidnaps Sara and warns Rio that if he pursues them, both siblings will die.
Now Rio needs to make a choice: Who's more likely to help him rescue Sara, the charismatic outlaw or the upstanding sheriff? More profoundly, will Rio become a bad good guy or a good guy?
Schur has a sweet, soulful face but the script gives him little depth to work with.
DeHaan gives Billy an appealingly impish spin, though he seems a bit old for the part. Hawke takes a fairly one-dimensional character and gives an intelligent and shaded performance.
“Let's see what you do next, kid,” Hawke's Garrett tells Rio at one point, but honestly, we're more curious about Hawke's next move.
<b>Starring:</b> Ethan Hawke, Jake Schur, Dane DeHaan, Chris Pratt, Leila George
<b>Directed by:</b> Vincent D'Onofrio
<b>Other:</b> A Lionsgate release. Rated R for violence and language. 99 minutes