Not only is MacFarlane the lead actor in the film, but he is also the director, producer and co-writer of the film. He is supported by motion picture heavyweights Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris and Giovanni Ribisi.
The film takes place in the ‘Wild West during 1882 where death is the norm and anyone can die at any given moment. In the film MacFarlane plays Albert, a cowardly man who is a sheep farmer and has never fired a gun in his life. He hates the town he lives in and the only thing keeping him there is his girlfriend, Louise, played by Seyfried.
Louise decides to dump Albert for another man, Foy, played by Harris. Unlike Albert, Foy is confident and has money as well as a moustache. Albert is devastated by the break-up and his life takes a dramatic twist when he saves a woman’s life during a brawl at a bar. The woman, Anna played by Theron starts a friendship with Albert and later a romance blooms between the two. She teaches Albert how to shoot a gun and helps him find his courage and confidence.
Anna does not divulge to Albert that she is the wife of a dangerous criminal, Clinch, played by Neeson. Clinch finds out that Albert kissed his wife and he hunts him down. While on the run from Clinch, Albert finds the courage to finally face him.
All the other actors and actresses fit in their roles however, MacFarlene appears to be out of place throughout the film and he sticks out like a sore thumb. On screen he comes across as the host of a show or the circus ring master in the film. It might have been the director’s intention for Albert’s character to appear that way, however it makes it difficult for the audience to connect and see Albert’s character as part of the film.
The movie is a feel-good action comedy with some dramatic Quentin Tarantino moments of gruesome action, which will catch audiences off guard. It has its minutes of fresh comedy, but in the long run it feels like an episode of Saturday Night Live celebrity roll-out.
