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But there's a problem. The film is the farthest thing from "fact-based." At Christianity Today Movies, Russ Breimeier explores how the story has been "fictionalized beyond belief." Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has declared that Hidalgo portrays Arabs and Muslims in a demeaning fashion, and that John Fusco's script is fiction from beginning to end. In the Los Angeles Times, Bobbie Lieberman reports that this "counterfeit cowboy" actually worked as a subway tunnel digger, harbor diver and circus horse handler.

Other religious press critics, while also put off by false claims of historicity, find some things worth praising.

Phil Boatwright (Movie Reporter) says, "Mortensen represents the quintessential cinema westerner, a seeker of justice [who is] opposed to bigotry. He's sickened by the brutality of the frontiersmen toward man and beast alike. And he does not suffer fools. He's not a flag-waving patriot. He's an individualist." But Boatwright faults the film for being "unnecessarily violent" and for trying to "exorcise the white man's guilt by infusing a political correctness."

"The desert is beautiful, the sandstorm is powerful, the comic relief is funny, and horse race is competitive," says Jimmy Akin (Decent Films). "So while Hidalgo may not be 'an incredible true story' or even a powerful story of redemption, it still ends up being an entertaining one."

Brett Willis (Christian Spotlight) says, "Other than The Passion, this is the first film I've seen this year that I'd actually recommend."

"Johnston keeps a strong hand upon the production and allows the story to unfold slowly but securely," says Michael Elliott (Movie Parables). "It starts a bit tentatively but gains momentum after the first 30 minutes and literally sails to a strong and rewarding finish."

Ted Baehr (Movieguide) says the film has "strong moral elements. Frank is a good guy who rebuffs the advances of the women. He helps his enemy. He keeps his own counsel. His only flaw is his drunkenness." But he faults the film on two counts: "One is the violence, and the other is touting the American Indians as better than the Muslims and the Christians."

Bob Smithouser (Plugged In) calls it "an enjoyable period adventure that gives viewers an incorruptible protagonist to root for. Whether or not he wins the race, his greater struggle is preserving his decency and humanity in the face of malicious abuse and discrimination. We root—rightfully—for him to succeed. The lack of sex and profanity is also refreshing." But he cautions families about episodes of "Indiana Jones-style violence too intense for young viewers" and "the sheer volume of Indian and Muslim spirituality woven into the story."

I found the film amusing and entertaining, and Mortensen is perfectly cast for the heroic nonchalance of this fictional hero. But when the hero's ordeal comes to its crisis point, we are shown a resolution that credits some vague Native American spirituality, as if calling out to our ancestors is our best source of hope when we're in a time of testing. (The film's central villain is clearly singled out as a Christian.) So go see it if you want to see some impressive, panoramic desert scenery, some breathtaking footage of horses at a full gallop, and for some Indiana Jones-style fun. Don't go expecting spiritual insight or a history lesson. My full review is at Looking Closer.

Meanwhile, mainstream critics are divided, some calling it a worthwhile adventure while others think Johnston's epic is too ambitious and too confused about what it wants to say and be.

A few weeks ago, I talked with Mortensen about his inclination to play heroes who endure ordeals. You can read his thoughts at CT Movies.

Andrew Coffin (World) says Hidalgo, which drew mixed reviews last week, "can be forgiven for some of its clichés. No, it's not the stock bad guys or predictable plot lines that are particularly grating—it's the modern twist on the cliché, heavy-handed political correctness, that really sinks this film."

Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin (Cinema in Focus) say Hidalgo "presents a predictable struggle imbedded with intrigue, romance, betrayal, and victory. It is a story of humanity and horses, recognizing that for both, what is on the inside is of far more importance than any exterior definition."

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Related Elsewhere:

After Aragorn	Printer view
In his first feature film since Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen is an adventurous cowboy in Hidalgo, a yarn that doesn't get all the facts right. But that's just fine with this myth-loving leading man.