[Jean-Robert]

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some more thoughts: this movie was so retarded that it defeated its own purpose. the ending was supposed to show how crowe's character turned from "bad" to "good," or at least that he found that there's some "good" within him after all. (see the exchange when bale's son says to him, "you're not ALL bad," which crowe denies and says, "yes i am.")

so crowe's supposed to achieve some sort of redemption with the ending. except, by killing his whole gang, he actually does just the opposite! throughout the movie, charlie shows himself to be nothing but an outstanding second-in-command: capable, devoted, steadfast and true. (that is, in relation to crowe; to others he is sadistic and cold-blooded.)

he demonstrates his gratitude and loyalty repeatedly. when crowe is captured he could easily make himself the gang's leader if he wanted (he IS the de facto leader during the entire rescue mission), but he doesn't even think of usurping that presumably lucrative role for himself. instead, he leads a long and arduous mission to track down and rescue crowe, eventually succeeding in the nick of time.

easy question: would any one of you guys NOT want to have a friend and colleague who's as loyal as charlie? would you not want him on your side in a battle?

well, crowe shows his thanks by shooting charlie thru the chest. twice. the second time with his gun barrel pressed up against the original entry wound, just for good measure. some redemption.

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I think the logicians that can't wrap their minds around the transformation of Crowe's character are misinterpreting a lot of the details and missing the point in general. The character's evolution, or maybe even self-actualization, was exhibited. I don't think questions of whether or not a normal person would want Charlie as a second in command are very relevant. Sure, it isn't practical for him to do it, but he knows all the bad things Charlie, and the gang, and himself have done -- this is why he refers to them all as animals ("every last one of them")while they are holed up in the hotel room. We also know that Crowe's character has some deeper sense of right and wrong as per his open condemnation of Peter Fonda's character for killing innocent Cherokee women and Children. Of course this doesn't lead us to expect what happens at the end of the movie, but it does allow us to believe (combined with his desire to leave with the bar-maid for mexico, his urging Bale and son to leave and spare their lives, his apparent admiration for Bale's character -- exhibited from the beginning to the end of the movie -- AND charlie's blatant disobedience in the final act) that there may be some deep misgivings and conflict over his own behavior. To me, this creates sufficient plausibility for the character's transformation. All this, without getting too deep into the psycho-analytical arguments for why Crowe might want to rid himself of the demons of his past and what his crew might represent to him... Anyway... This movie is way too good to let a little disbelief ruin it. I love Bale in everything he does (check Rescue Dawn, Hard Times, the Machinist, Batman Begins, The Prestige, etc.), but all the acting was exceptional -- the son, charlie, and Crowe all nailed their roles... Go see it and decide for yourselves.