For the
sake of not having to write the same intro a million
different ways throughout the rest of time, just know that
this column avoids the overly long and sometimes dull
process of full film reviews and instead opts to break
things down based on what I thought going in, what happened
while I was there and what I learned at the end of it all.
Thanks for reading!
The
Breakdown - Meek's Cutoff
The Impression:
I’ve never actually seen a film by indie superstar Kelly
Reichardt, but the trailers and the general aura radiating
off them makes me think ... slow and meandering. Thus her
film about a group of settlers literally wandering in the
desert trying to find their actual and metaphoric way does
not intrigue me.
The Reality:
I think whatever Reichardt was attempting to do with this
film was achieved admirably. The story of a group of
settlers lead astray by a hugely bearded Bruce Greenwood is
slow and meandering and only occasionally pauses to address
any sort of narrative progression. The crux of the film is
being lost and trying to be found and discovering that how
we are isn’t exactly how we actually are. Unfortunately, for
me at least, the presentation of these ideas was boring to
the point of slumber and I can not recommend Reichardt’s
film in any way. Again, many fans of Old Joy and
Wendy And Lucy will probably love this film and spit on
my grave when I die, and to them I say, have fun, or stare
slack-jawed at a desert for two hours while Michelle
Williams acts tough and Paul Dano continues to bore me to
tears with his over-acting and scarecrow looks. For the rest
of you, avoid this film and go see Thor. I’ve heard
it’s quite good.
The Lesson:
I don’t like Kelly Reichardt. Don’t judge.
- Noah Sanders
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