Review of Blind Justice

Armand Assante gives a marvelously assured and charismatic performance as Canaan, a blind and embittered Civil War veteran turned roving gunslinger who travels across the country with a baby in tow. Canaan stops off in a lawless small town and runs afoul of a foul gang of desperadoes led by the ruthless Alacran (Robert Davi in fine nasty form). Alacran and his men want to gain possession of a stash of silver coins that's being guarded by an ever-diminishing handful of U.S. Cavalrymen. Canaan agrees to help the desperate soldiers, but only if he gets paid 200 pounds worth of silver for his troubles. Ably directed by Richard Spence, with a neat and engrossing script by Daniel Knauf, the gritty-funky look and feel of a vintage 60's Italian spaghetti Western, a steady pace, polished cinematography by Jack Conroy, several rousing and well-staged action set pieces (Canaan's pre-credits introduction is absolutely priceless!), and a nice line in dark humor, this nifty little number makes for a fun and engrossing viewing experience. While Assante clearly owns the show with his spot-on portrayal of the wry, likable and dangerous Canaan, kudos are nonetheless still in order for the excellent supporting cast: Elisabeth Shue as feisty nurse Caroline, Adam Baldwin as the ramrod Sergeant Hastings, M.C. Gainey as vicious lackey Bull, Clayton Landey as folksy bartender Ernie Fowler, Jimmy Herman as a crazed demolitions-obsessed Native American shaman, Ian McElhinney as the shady Father Malone, and a then unknown Jack Black in a funny small part as a jerky private. This offbeat and entertaining film is well worth a watch.