Robert Duvall: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

5 Awesome Performances...

5. "Boss" Spearman - Open Range

A great late stage performance from Robert Duvall can be glimpsed in Kevin Costner's brilliant western Open Range, where he plays cattle driver "Boss" Spearman, a kind and gentle cowboy who isn't afraid to get bloody if the reason is right. This isn't a particularly loud Duvall performance when compared to some other notable ones, though it showcases the skill at which he offers up brilliant, memorable supporting roles. Interestingly, Kevin Costner - who wrote and directed the film - stated that, had Duvall turned down the part for Spearman (his first and only choice), he probably wouldn't have ended up making the movie. Watching Duvall here, you can say why: he brings the necessary spirit. Besides Duvall - like Eastwood and Wayne before him - is one of those actors who always feels "at home" in a western, as if channeling some past life.