Selleck has found his post-Magnum PI niche with Westerns, such as Monte Walsh and Quigly Down Under, among others.

Selleck delivers a quiet, strong performance. He looks like every cowboy ever wanted to look, and fortunately, he keeps his sometimes too high voice in check.

Monte Walsh is a story about times changing and how that impacts the lives of those that need for times to stay the same. It's a character study, not a Cowboys and Indians shoot them up. It does have enough gun play to keep the most traditional Western fan happy, but don't rent it for that. Watch for the great characterization by Selleck, a very good supporting cast, and wonderful cinematography.

'Monte Walsh' is not just a western or a cowboy movie. It's a movie about cowboys and that point make all the difference.

In fact, 'Monte Walsh' tells a story that is universal in it's own theme; a story concerning the end of a time, the novelties of the beginning of the 20º century and the progressive death of a code of honor and a way of life.

The movie is beautifully directed by Australian director Simon Wincer. Tom Selleck is perfect in the title role and the support cast is good too, especially Keith Carradine and William Devane.

The only problem with the movie lies in some scenes, like the suicide of the veteran of the Civil War (in my opinion, a bit overacted) and the last scene, that brings a irony that sounds strange and dislocated with the rest.

But after all, this movie is a really standout among the most recent western movies.

There was a poetical quality to the first adaption of the western novel Monte Walsh in the first version of the story. I considered tat one to be one of the top three Lee Marvin performances on film. Tom Selleck has produced and starred in a good remake, but falls a bit short of the Lee Marvin version.

If you've seen the first version than you'll know the plot and recognize a lot of the scenes. Tom Selleck in the title role and his trail partner Keith Carradine are a pair of working cowboys at the turn of the last century when there was less work. Range being fenced in and the railroad spreading to some of the remote parts of the west there's less need for ranch hands. Selleck and Carradine find work where they can.

Carradine sees the changing times, marries a widow he's been courting and goes to work in her hardware business as a storekeeper. Selleck won't leave the life he loves and the rugged individualism it stands for. Not even for the bordello madam played by Isabella Rossellini.

And the great theme of the first Monte Walsh sun by Mama Cass Elliott is also missing. I kept hoping to hear The Good Times Are Coming. but alas did not.

Still western fans will approve of what Selleck did with the story.