LOVE RANCH

Helen Mirren teams up with her director husband Taylor Hackford for Love Ranch. Its the true story based on the famous Mustang Ranch which was America's first legal brothel. Mirren plays the Ranch's co-owner and madam alongside her shifty husband (Joe Pesci) and manages the business amidst a life surrounded by corruption, protest & violence. She's an honest decent woman who's had enough of the game and secretly wants out. Added to her burden is her recent cancer diagnosis. Director Hackford nails the era perfectly. I remember seeing Nick Broomfield's documentary from the 70s called Chicken Ranch and this film's production could easily be mistaken for the real thing. The performances are brilliant and it's awesome to see Pesci back on screen. He does what he does best, ie sleazy, gutter mouthed & unhinged. Taylor Hackford's films usually have a certain "Hackford" feel about them but not knowing who directed it, it would be easy to mistake it for a Scorcese film. It's only flaw is in it's narration. I have a pet peeve when it comes to narration... I reckon it should only be used if it bookends a movie. When it's only used at the end (in this case) then it feels like it's just been tacked on because they couldn't think of another way to finish. BUT thats a small grievance and Love Ranch wins!

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