Watch Gone Are the Days

In "Gone Are the Days," directed by Mark Landre Gould, legendary actor Lance Henriksen ("Aliens," "Millennium") plays Taylon Flynn, a reformed outlaw in his final days seeking redemption for his past sins. The film, set in the 1800s, opens with an aging Flynn returning to his hometown after years of wandering and living as a hermit. He's gravely ill with cancer, but still haunted by his past, particularly a botched robbery that resulted in the death of a young girl.

Flynn's return is not without trouble. The small town he once knew is now run by a corrupt marshal, Tillman (Tom Berenger, "Platoon," "Inception"), who delights in terrorizing the townsfolk and bullying his subordinates. Also complicating Flynn's homecoming is his estranged daughter, Heidi (Meg Steedle), whom he hasn't seen in years. She's rightfully bitter about her father abandoning her as a child and isn't too keen on forgiving him now.

Despite his illness and the odds against him, Flynn sets out to make things right. He reconnects with old friends and allies, including a barkeep (Danny Trejo, "Machete") who nursed him back to health, and a young gunslinger (Billy Lush, "The Black Donnellys") who looks up to him. Together, they plan to take down Tillman and his gang and restore peace to the town.

"Gone Are the Days" isn't a typical Western. It's not about gunfights or high noon showdowns. Instead, it's a somber and reflective film about a man facing his mortality and taking responsibility for his past. Henriksen gives an outstanding performance as Flynn, capturing the character's pain, regret, and determination with a quiet intensity. This is a man who knows he doesn't have much time left and is willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.

The film also boasts a strong supporting cast. Berenger is suitably menacing as the villainous marshal, while Trejo brings a warmth and affability to his role as Flynn's friend. Lush injects some youthful energy as the gunslinger, and Steedle has a few poignant scenes as Heidi, the daughter torn between her anger and her longing for a relationship with her father.

What really sets "Gone Are the Days" apart is its tone. This is a slow-burn film that takes its time building character and atmosphere. The cinematography is beautiful, with moody lighting and dusty landscapes capturing the bleakness of Flynn's situation. The score, composed by Jamie Muhoberac, is haunting and evocative, further enhancing the film's melancholic mood.

All of these elements come together to create a Western that's less concerned with action and more interested in exploring themes of redemption, regret, and family. It's a thoughtful film that speaks to the human experience, even if its setting is in the past.

In closing, "Gone Are the Days" is a poignant and well-crafted Western that showcases a top-notch performance from Lance Henriksen. It's not a film for those looking for shootouts and fancy gun work, but instead gives audiences a story of an aging man seeking redemption for his past mistakes. The film delivers a message of redemption and forgiveness that makes it one of the more thought-provoking Westerns in recent years.

Gone Are the Days is a 2018 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.