34 years after his Oscar-winning epic Western,Dances With Wolves, arrived in theaters, it’s time for audiences to accept an uncomfortable truth about screen legendKevin Costner’s career. An actor, writer, and director with an impressive pedigree, Costner ranks as one of the industry’s biggest stars, having featured in multiple award-winning projects and box office successes. One of the most remarkable things about Costner’s rise has beenhis supposed command of all aspects of the movie-making process.However, closer inspection reveals that this particular reputation is not necessarily warranted.
Kevin Costner’s acting career began in the 1980s, where he rapidly established himself as a compelling screen presence. After a series of minor roles, he secured the lead role of Eliot Ness inThe Untouchables. This preceded a number of hit releases, such as thesports moviesField of DreamsandBill Durham. It was this success that led to his establishment of production house Tig Productions – a venture that in turnallowed him to produce and directDances With Wolves.The movie’s success created Costner’s reputation as an industry polymath. However, later decades have subtly challenged this notion.
Kevin Costner Is Not A Great Director, Despite Dances With Wolves
His Later Movies Have Failed To Resonate
Winning a Best Director Oscar, as Costner did forDances With Wolves, is a remarkable achievement that deserves recognition. The fact that this acclaim came with his directorial debut understandably led many to hail Costner as the next all-round movie maestro, akin to great actor-directors like Orson Welles.
Dances With Wolvesis by far and away the most critically and financially successful movie he has ever released.
However, the uncomfortable truth is that a closer look at Costner’s record proves that, as a director,he has never been able to recaptureDances With Wolves' success. In fact, as impressive as that movie is, the rest of his directorial career is both somewhat limited and underwhelming. Despite having a reputation as a great director,Costner has only ever directed four movies.Not only that, butDances With Wolvesis by far and away the most critically and financially successful movie he has ever released.
$22 million
$424.2 million
87%
$80 million
$30 million
14%
$68.3 million
79%
$50 million
$36.1 million
48%
The PostmanandHorizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1were both disappointments, whileOpen Range(which did impress critics) made less than 20% ofwhatDances With Wolvesmade at the box officeon an identical budget. All this suggests that, rather than being a demonstrably great director, Costner’s command of this particular aspect of filmmaking is perhaps less complete than many people assume.
Horizon Confirms The Truth About Kevin Costner’s Directing
The Movie Struggles With An Unwieldy Story
Costner’s struggles as a director sinceDances With Wolveshave been confirmed by the release ofHorizon.A sweeping epic Western, and personal passion project for Costner, the movie is billed as the first installment in a series of films exploring the American West over a 12-year span, pre and post-the American Civil War. The ambition involved is difficult to overstate. However, on the evidence ofChapter 1, it’s clear that the end result is far from perfect.
Despite exploring similar themes asWesterns likeDances With WolvesandOpen Range,Horizon’s massive scope was criticized for being too broad, with too many distinct plot threads. As theRotten Tomatoescritical consensus puts it:
“Kevin Costner doesn’t lack for ambition as he sketches this frontier saga across the widest of canvases, but Horizon’s first chapter proves too diffuse…for it to satisfy as a self-contained endeavor.”
This assessment is reflected in the film’s mixed critical response (48% positive reviews) and financial failure ($36.1 million against a $50 million budget). Costner’s central role puts any blame squarely at his door, while the movie’s supposed incoherence speaks to a production that lacked clear direction.
Costner’s Biggest Successes Have Come As An Actor
His Reputation As A Superstar Is Well-Earned
WhileDances With Wolvesaugmented his status as a successful director, the real truth about Costner’s career is that he’s a much more complete actor. Not only has he starred in multiple films that have earned their place in popular culture, but he has a much more extensive resume in front of the camera than he does behind.Wyatt Earp,Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,Tin Cup, andMan of Steelare all examples of Costner performances that have had a profound impact on the audience.He has even proven his ability to command the small screen, stealing the show in Taylor Sheridan’s hit series,Yellowstone.
15 Best Kevin Costner Movies
Kevin Costner has had a long and varied career in front of and behind the camera. Here we take a look at his best movies.
Dances With Wolvesproved that Kevin Costner is certainly not a bad director.In fact, there are flashes in all his movies that highlight his undeniable skill when he has full control of the project. However, given that his entire directorial CV only runs to four released films – only one of which has been an unqualified success – it seems fair to suggest that a reassessment of his career could be overdue.
Dances With Wolves
Cast
Dances With Wolves, directed by Kevin Costner, follows Civil War soldier John Dunbar, who is sent to a remote post on the Western frontier. There, he forms an unexpected bond with a Sioux tribe, challenging his own beliefs and understanding of culture and identity.
