Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by jackrandom (A) on August 19, 2005 at 04:58:29

Saw an interesting movie last night called Off the Map, directed by Campbell Scott. It's about a family living on almost nothing in the desert of New Mexico in the 70's and being visited by an IRS agent claiming they owe penalties for not filing taxes.

That is the surface story -- in reality it is about a family dealing with love and life and problems and hopes. And about a tax man wrestling with the same issues.

What makes the movie great is the very fine acting by Joan Allen as the mother (she always is good, but this role is out of character for her) and the young daughter.

Young daughter Bo is played by 11 year old Valentina de Angelis, whom I've never heard of, but she is incredible. Wonderful presense, strong verbal and non-verbal cues, and an intense drive to play Bo as someone who is smarter and more worldly than her age and family life would imply. It is truly one of the best performances by a young actor that I have seen recently. Too bad the movie is so little known.

The downside of the film is that it is so slow it almost sputters to a stall, but if you can hold out, the last 1/2 hour or so is quite good.