You know, it's bad enough when studios feel compelled to give too much away in a coming attraction trailer, but then they have to go and make a film-maker edit their film to the point where it's flow is completely interrupted. Such is the case with All the Pretty Horses, the new film from Billy Bob Thornton.

In All the Pretty Horses, Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting) and Henry Thomas (E.T.) play a couple of cowboy buddies circa the late 1940's. Growing disenchanted with their lives in Texas, they decide to head out to Mexico, to experience the big ranch life. During their lengthy horse ride, they meet up with young Lucas Black (Sling Blade), a gunslinger with a plethora of secrets. Upon arriving in Mexico, they find work at a ranch where Damon falls for the ranch owner's daughter (played by Penelope Cruz). Before long, Damon and Thomas find themselves fighting for their lives when they are thrown in jail for a crime they may or may not have committed.

Obviously, there is a lot going on in this picture. Far too much, in fact, to make an under two hour movie work entirely. Therein lies the problem. Thornton has been forced to cut so much from this film that it undermines the rhythm of the picture. True, Thornton does a masterful job with his actors. This movie is cast to perfection, and the actors have perfect chemistry. Thornton also has a true knack for this material. He seems to have a lot of insight into the way of the cowboy and really knows how to shoot the scenery. Some of the film reminded me of Robert Redford's The Horse Whisperer, only here, Thornton is dealing with a richer story. The screenplay by Ted Tally (Silence of the Lambs) is alive with realistic dialogue featuring true cowboy lingo and a sort of old fashioned western feel.

Damon and Thomas are lively and really seem to capture the flavor of their characters, as does a shining Black. Penelope Cruz is a beauty, but it seems that much of her storyline was cut and that hurts the film tremendously. It's hard to really see the passion between these star crossed lovers because Thornton has been forced to cut so much of the picture, that many things seem rushed and underdeveloped.

Long epic films can work. Some of our greatest films of all time are lengthy. It's a shame that a studio would allow Kevin Costner to make the lame Postman. Sure, the guy proved himself with Dances With Wolves but didn't Thornton do the same with Sling Blade?

All the Pretty Horses is a beautiful film. It's well acted, well photographed, well written (what we have of it anyway), and well scored by country musician Mary Stuart. I'm giving half a star to the studio for not letting Thornton have his cut, I'm giving three and a half stars to what this film is, and I'm giving four and a half stars to what All the Pretty Horses should have been; a big, rousing, traditional western. The kind we don't see anymore. Hopefully, we'll get the real version on DVD!