Picture this: a ruggedly handsome Western movie filled with cowboys, outlaws, and the expansive grandeur of the American West. You'd probably expect this film to have minor fanfare and a hail of kudos from critics, right? Well, another reality unfolded for Joel Souza's movie titled 'Rust'. The film's narrative spins around a rebellious 13-year-old, played by Patrick Scott McDermott, who evolves into a fugitive after accidentally killing a local rancher. Let's not forget to mention Alec Baldwin's stellar performance as the estranged grandfather, a narrative role soaked in the arresting ethos characteristic of the American West.

Not without its share of drama beyond the screen, 'Rust' etches into history as a project full of suspense. Four years ago, Baldwin, pulling strings behind the curtains as co-writer and producer, unintentionally fired a live bullet from what he assumed was a prop weapon. The incident resulted in a fatality and another injury on set, thrusting the film instantly into the spotlight.

Surrounded by controversy, a legal nightmare ensued, throwing gun safety measures and industry guidelines into question. Baldwin was on the hook for involuntary manslaughter, with the props armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, also facing charges. Shockingly, as new evidence surfaced, Baldwin's charges were dropped, and Gutierrez-Reed ended up with 18 months behind bars.

Baldwin, no stranger to scandal, offered a settlement to the grieving Hutchins family, but his public image took yet another blow. Information surfaced about unsafe practices on set. In a shocking twist, the first camera assistant quit right before Hutchins’ fatal shooting, citing concerns over a "fast and loose" approach for gunfight scenes.

Despite all this drama, 'Rust' made its way to completion. Shooting for the remainder of the film was overseen by the new cinematographer, Bianca Cline. The outcome, however, remains forever shadowed by its troubled past. Laced with thematic motifs that eerily echo Baldwin's encounter, the story idea of guilt and redemption resonates throughout the film.

The young protagonist, Lucas, finds himself wrongfully in custody for a murder he didn't commit. Left to fend for himself after his mother's death, Lucas is shown as a boy doing his best to survive with his little brother in the late 19th century. Tragedy unfolds when, in a daze, Lucas mistakenly shoots the local rancher while defending his family from a frequent wolf visitor.

The audiences are exposed to Lucas's evident fear when Rust, played by Baldwin, arrives to extricate him from his jail cell. As the story unravels, Rust plans to smuggle his misunderstood grandson to Mexico, providing an escape from the law's reach.

The film concurrently explores two other narratives centered around a Sheriff pursuing Rust and Lucas, and a money-obsessed bounty hunter. The movie delves into themes of justice, religion, and outlaws but has difficulty finding a balance between them.

There are moments where the movie loses its way. The Sheriff's subplot involving his son's illness and the bounty hunter's hyper-religious creepiness overshadows the main storyline. The beauty of the movie lies in its stunning visuals, impressive fight scenes, and heavy use of shadows and silhouettes.

Despite its mishaps, Rust’s visual allure of the expansive American West and its characters sweep you off your feet. However, for a film so rich in complex characters and interweaving plots, there seems to be an emotional element missing, leaving audiences clasping for more.