'Masterpiece' Western with superb 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes that divides audiences

A "masterpiece" Western is hailed by critics on Rotten Tomatoes where it's "Certified Fresh" - but it divides audiences. Meek's Cutoff (2010) is an Western historical survival film set in 1845 that tells the story of three pioneer families travelling through the Oregon desert.

But what was expected to be a two-week trip soon descends into a protracted and desperate fight for survival. The film, which was directed by Kelly Reichardt, is loosely based on a real-life incident on the Oregon trail that year during which fur trapper and guide Stephen Meeks led a waggon on a ill-fated detour.

It features a star-studded cast, including Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Will Patton, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano, Shirley Henderson, Neal Huff, Tommy Nelson, and Rod Rondeaux.

Kelly Jane Torrance wrote for Washington Examiner that Reichardt "shows us with great subtlety the physical and emotional drama here, one that's properly underplayed, given the strictures of the time".

Peter Bradshaw, chief film critic at The Guardian, said the film is a "gaunt, mysterious and superbly calibrated movie about pioneers and the old American west" that "appears to have come from another age", giving it four stars.

Ian Freer wrote for Empire that the Reichardt "eschews action and dialogue for a compelling look at the harsh realities of pioneer life and, unusually for the genre, focusses on women".

He called the film, "Slow but absorbing" adding it "yields rewarding results". Its positive reception among critics is reflected in an 86% score on the site's Tomatometer, which reflects the percentage of approved critics who have given it a positive review.

However, it's Popcornmeter score, which reflects the reception from general viewers is currently only 53% from more than 5,000 ratings.

One Audience Reviewer gave it just one star, calling it: "Without question one of the top 5 worst movies I have ever watched. Horrible. Tedious. Without any redeeming qualities. Like it was made by a 9th grade theater arts class."

Another said: "WOW. What a complete waste of time! One of the worst films I have ever seen."

A third added: "Really slow, nonsensical, I watched the whole movie waiting for something to happen and nothing. I don't know how anyone could rate this movie highly."

However, others shared critics' admiration for the film, and voiced appreciation for its patient pacing. One wrote: "Kelly Reichardt's pseudo-western is methodical and carefully drawn, with some really great cinematography, and an effective atmosphere that's intense without being violent.

"It's not without its meanderings, but Meek's Cutoff is another quietly effective meditation from one of America's most unmistakable indie voices," they added.

Another said: "This is a deliberately paced and pensive film, rewarding for those who are patient and don't require excessive dialogue to explain matters or need everything tied up with a neat bow."

A third said: "Kelly Reichardts is definitely one of the greatest directors ever. This film, Meek's cutoff, could be her definite masterpiece.

"Visually stunning and full of tension and emotion, in each beautifully filmed shot we see charachters full of textures, built remarkably for Michelle Williams, as well as the rest of the cast. Exciting and tense, amazingly crafted, a tale about prejudices, vanity, power, fear and loneliness. Great."

Meek's Cutoff is available to rent or buy on Apple TV now.