Mikes Film Talk

The 2023 comedy western Halfway to Amarillo shows us writer’s block; the hard way. Hard writing, hard whiskey and two hard guys who want to settle a score.

With the writer.

Halfway to Amarillo the Story

Michael Coleman is writing a western tale. He runs up against writers block just as his two main characters are about to meet. Michael hits the whiskey and ends up meeting his two gunslingers in the flesh. They are not too happy with the writer and he sets about making amends.

Halfway to Amarillo Cast

Burt Binder is Michael Coleman.

Peter Giles is Sheriff Morgan Ambrose.

Luke Jones is Eli West.

Felicia Michaels is Jean Coleman.

Lindsey G. Smith is Naomi.

Let’s Talk

Halfway to Amarillo made me think of the 1988 action thriller Sunset. Insofar as it is about making a fictional setting in the west come to life. In the Jim Garner/Bruce Willis film, it is about filmmaking. It is, however, set in LA.

*Sunset is also about recreating the gunfight at the OK Corral, to be fair. But that is the first thing I thought of. Sue me.*

This story is about the blood, sweat and tears that goes into writing a book. Coleman is stuck, his girlfriend has left him and the cowboys in his newest book come to visit.

The film is funny. It can be seen as a twist on the 2006 Emma Thompson/Will Ferrell comedy; Stranger than Fiction. In that film, Emma’s writer has created a fictional character who comes to life. Ferrell’s hapless “hero” interacts with everyone, just like Coleman’s character do.

Writer/director Binder gives us funny, yet rounded, characters. Casting is spot on here. Jones as West and Giles as Ambrose work brilliantly. They bounce off one another very well and help make this film work.

Some Issues

There are a few issues. The pistols, both apparently single action, never go past “half-cock.” This is pretty much the safety on a old fashioned revolver. Every single time, bar one, when the western characters threaten anyone, the hammer never goes past half cocked. You cannot shoot anyone with the hammer halfway back.

There is some issue with the characters themselves and their ability to understand modern things. These “issues” affect nothing and actually help to move this story along.

It all Works

Halfway to Amarillo works. It has plenty of laugh out loud moments. It is clever and there is a great twist after the end credits roll. Binder has a winner here and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I adore westerns. This is no exception.

The Verdict

Halfway to Amarillo is a solid 4.5 stars. It is funny, witty and well acted by everyone in the film. By the end of the film, Binder, Jones and Giles have earned a new fan. This is streaming on Prime, Tubi, Fandango, and Plex right now. Go and check it out. You will not be sorry.

The Trailer