The Postman
Directed by Kevin Costner
- science fiction
- adventure
- action
The story
In 2013, there are no highways, no I-ways, no dreams of a better tomorrow, only scattered survivors across what was once the United States. Into this apocalyptic wasteland comes an enigmatic drifter with a mule, a knack for Shakespeare, and something yet undiscovered: the power to inspire hope.
What it’s like
Sweeping, sun-bleached landscapes dominate The Postman: wide open plains, dusty roads, ruined towns under big washed-out skies, with the camera lingering on horses, weathered faces and campfire-lit tents. The palette runs to ochre, grey-green and faded denim, the light mostly hard daytime sun or dim, smoky interiors, and the grain and scale give it a dusty, old-epic texture. Its score swells with orchestral brass and strings whenever the landscape opens up, then drops to quiet acoustic guitar around the fire. Its vibe is earnest, rough-edged and hopeful, a long wandering adventure best suited to a lazy weekend afternoon or a comfort rewatch with room to settle in. Pacing is leisurely and occasionally overlong, and the emotional register is sincere and idealistic: a drifter reluctantly learning to believe in something larger than himself. Violence is present and sometimes harsh, with battle sequences, executions and cruelty from a tyrannical militia, but it stays mostly bloodless in tone and there is no graphic gore or sexual content. It suits viewers who enjoy post-apocalyptic road journeys, big-hearted heroism and rousing, old-fashioned storytelling over tight plotting.
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