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This story of 3 small families heading to Oregon in 1845 via the Oregon Trail, which, apparently, was not yet a recognisable trail, is so slow in so many spots that it's boring. While I love small movies about people and their plights, this one tells us nothing about its characters, to the point that I didn't care if they EVER found the Columbia River.
The country they're in is so boring--high desert with dried grass and bushes--that a BIG DEAL in the story was finding a tree...yes, a single tree.
The excellent director John Sayles' 1999 movie 'Limbo' had no conventional ending to the story and indeed left us in limbo, but that was a fine movie compared with 'Meek's...'.
Not recommended.
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Tin-eared audiofool, former fotografer, and terrible competitive-pistol shootist.
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted." Albert Einstein.
Follow Ups:
"The excellent director John Sayles' 1999 movie 'Limbo' had no conventional ending to the story and indeed left us in limbo, but that was a fine movie compared with 'Meek's...'."
Hmmm, I have seen 'Limbo' way back due to a good review, and I didn't care much for gimmicky, cop out ending.
an extremely rich food you've never sampled before, her art takes some familiarity, patience, and understanding. On the trail, it wasn't "John Wayne vs Indians" at every turn. I thought Michelle Williams gave a powerful, understated performance, perfectly portraying a quietly courageous and independent woman. The tension between the Indian and Meek I thought was riveting, as was the females' reactions to it. The film was shot in a singular fashion, especially for Westerns set upon the wide open prairie: the framing was very closed, adding tension and impending doom to the slow progress of the tiny caravan. This film is as unlike the typical Western as a romantic period symphony is from a baroque chamber work: you have to be aware of the smallest "notes." The ensemble acting is nuanced and very fine.
Reichardt's previous efforts, similarly, are quiet affairs that detonate after the fact. "On Joy," a highly recommended film about two young men that have been friends but haven't seen one another for some time and decide to spend some time together at a remote Oregon hot springs deep in the forest is a gem.
Anyhow, Reichardt isn't going to become a household name nor win an Academy Award for direction anytime soon. Like Bresson, she has an inimitable style and one that yields great rewards to those that "get it."
...and even though I don't consider, this to be a 'masterpiece' yet, bout I did like the movie, and the ending was totally appropriate. In fact, I am glad the director didn't put on that typical 'hollywood' ending on this one.
Btw. I thought '2001' was a bore, too when I was a teenager. I was big on 'Star Wars' back then.
Now, I try to catch '2001' whenever shown on theater.
..as if mere literate, thoughtful movie lovers enjoy this movie, it isn't weird enough.
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Tin-eared audiofool, former fotografer, and terrible competitive-pistol shootist.
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted." Albert Einstein.
an inability to realize that is the point! Walking alongside and riding inside a wagon WAS slow. It was a brutal, boring slog. And it was dangerous. The countryside also wasn't Northern California: it was monotonous scrub-brush country where a tree indeed was an unusual sight. Complaining that a film showed an authentic, true-to-life situation is a rather shallow criticism, isn't it?
As far as the characters: did you expect biographies? Their actions and well-chosen words told you all you needed to know.
Anyhow, as I said, that's the director's style. I find it far more interesting than Malick, another minimalist American director. I wonder if you'd like the film better the second time around? Probably not. Myself, I found Michelle's performance confirms my view of her as one of the absolute best actresses now working. BTW, this film is based on a true story, though the wagon train was far larger.
"As far as the characters: did you expect biographies? Their actions and well-chosen words told you all you needed to know.
Anyhow, as I said, that's the director's style. I find it far more interesting than Malick, another minimalist American director. I wonder if you'd like the film better the second time around? Probably not. Myself, I found Michelle's performance confirms my view of her as one of the absolute best actresses now working. BTW, this film is based on a true story, though the wagon train was far larger. "
Is it something along the line of Kubrick? I didn't like '2001' at first, but as I get older, the more I appreciate '2001'.
Btw. I outgrew 'Star Wars' a long time ago.
I suppose some would just skip over those because they're "too slow....."
...and that's all that matters. For some others, it's the journey itself.
I've always been more interested in the journey, not the destination.
and THAT'S saying something.
Thank you for your review. At best I'll catch this on HBO in a few months. Looking at its 6 week gross, I'm surprised it didn't go direct to dvd.
"I'd like to own a squadron of tanks"
It looks absolutely awful.
"Lock up when you're done and don't touch the piano."
-Greg House
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