Work in Progress

Men who exude assuredness about who they are seem more attractive to women. But those that feel their lives are a work in progress are dang near irresistible. In going over these human attributes I have figured out why so many ladies are attracted to the many and varied roles of Kevin Costner. I am uncertain if even he realizes it, but this is a theme that runs through all of his movies. Chances are, he does, he seems pretty self-aware of what he projects onscreen. From the nineties western Dances with Wolves all the way to his most recent endeavor Horizon, his characters are all a work in progress. Few of them know where they will land but they are putting in the work to be well-rounded, nonetheless.

The other rule he seems to recognize is that no man is an island. This is to say that while on the journey of life we can never go it alone. He is quite adept at making secondary character actors that live long in our memories. The country rube Timmons who takes him in his wagon to Fort Sedgewick in Dances lingers long on my mind. At one point in the story, Timmons passes gas around the campfire and says jovially through a mouth full of green teeth, "put that in your book." This man was obviously a little on the foul side, however have you ever met someone even though their time in your life is short you feel they were pivotal in your progress as a human being? The point is, whether we think we do or not we take away something from everyone we meet. I have to say that every person who I have felt at least some kinship in my life has helped mold me into the man I am today. When Costner sprinkles in these side stories it helps fill in the portions of the story that in the beginning were without color and help the story grow and flourish.

And his choices in stellar co-stars are not just accidental. When he created the movie Open Range, he was dead set on Robert Duval playing the part of Boss Spearman. He told Bob that if he refused the part, he would simply cancel the whole project. Talk about making a plan and sticking to it. Also, he hand-picked the great Paul Newman to play his father in Message in a Bottle. There probably never has been, nor will there ever be a better character actor in the history of Hollywood than Mr. Newman, except for maybe Dustin Hoffman. I mean not just anyone in Hollywood can put on a skirt, heels, a wig, and makeup and still retain their man card.

I recently watched the Netflix movie "The Highway Men" where he costars with Woody Harrelson as two retired Texas Rangers that are hired to go on the hunt for Bonnie and Clyde. The movie has all the necessary ingredients for making a story compelling. Once again, Costner playing Frank Harmer who is essentially a lawman no longer with a horse, who is figuring out how to negotiate his retirement that (A) he hadn't planned on and (B) came home to roost far too soon for his liking. Once again, he is playing a character who is desperately trying to figure where his place is in an ever-changing world.