Director: Clint Bentley
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, William H. Macy, Kerry Condon
Running Time: 102 minutes
Synopsis: In rural Idaho of the early 1900s, Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) is a soft-spoken and observant logger. He marries Gladys (Felicity Jones), they establish a modest home by the river, and have a daughter Kate. Robert is frequently away at logging camps and occasionally on railroad projects. He witnesses acts of violence that start to haunt him, but also makes lifelong friends, including the crusty Arn (William H. Macy). Grainier maintains a strong bond with Gladys whenever he returns home, until a tragedy changes everything.
What Works Well: This is a haunting and lyrical exploration of one quiet man's soul. Director Clint Bentley co-wrote the script with Greg Kwedar, and the focus is on a nation's growth causing nature's destruction, balancing income with family, and finally a deep commitment to love. The boxy 1.46:1 aspect ratio allows the towering trees to become silent but essential co-stars, creating Grainier's home away from home. In the forest camps he forges long-lasting friendships, witnesses the worst of human behaviour, and experiences great beauty but also participates in its ruin. Embodying one character's journey over multiple decades, Joel Edgerton excels in a lived-in, observant, and often emotionally tortured role.
What Does Not Work As Well: The pacing is leisurely, and a few of the secondary characters could have benefited from additional depth.
Key Quote:
Grainier: Do you think that the bad things that we do follow us through life?
Arn: I don't know. I've seen bad men raised up and good men brought to their knees. I reckon if I could figure it out, I'd be sleeping next to someone a lot better-looking than you.
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