i wanted to see this one at the recent nziff
but scheduling issues meant it was by-passed
a short run on general release and this the final night
jesse eisenberg (mark zuckerberg) the main man josh
seen in the opening scenes at a secluded dam with a woman
she - dena - and he having a largely incoherent conversation
and thus setting the tone for the film - nothing is too obvious
next scenes are at dena's workplace of a women's sauna and spa
shots of nude women of various ages - why - though a woman director
me thinking she wanting to prove her independent credentials maybe
a parcel is handed to josh - no explanation provided for this action
then scenes back at his own workplace - a large community farm
if it was the 60s it would be a hippy commune and similar ideals
very few words or smiles exchanged - wassup most common
continuing the theme of austerity in dialogue and action
we are then witness to josh and dena purchasing a jet-boat
discussing the finer points in the private sale with the owner
the name of the boat shown - night moves - and briefly discussed
josh needs a toilet stop and asks to go inside the home for relief
seems something is planned - but no - he just goes to the toilet
again the director demonstrating the theme of keep-it-simple
the deal is closed and they hook up the boat to their suv and depart
they don't seem the leisure-boat types so something is brewing
further explained in the following scenes with josh's friend harmon
an ex-marine inspecting the boat and providing fertilizer advice
500lbs more is required than what he has already procured
ah ok - boat - bomb - dam - click - we are witness to a plot
dena then seen awkwardly trying to buy the extra fertilizer
there are rules and checks in place that seem too rigid to bypass
but a flutter of the eyes and some sound horticultural-speak helps
the boat is packed up with the goods and the marine-supplied bomb
next we see the boat parked up against the dam wall in the dark of night
the gang of 3 making a nervous and clumsy paddle, run and drive escape
we hear the muted explosion and see the first wry smile on josh's face
mission accomplished then - but a sense of dread that all is not good
they resolve to continue their normal lives as before and no contact
josh back at the farm - his usual loner ways aiding to hide the secret
other workers discussing the merit of blowing up a dam as a protest
here one of many on a river used for hydro-electric generation
conclusion - theatre only - no aid to the environmental cause
this is glossed over so no real insight into the bombers motives
news sneaks in that a camper has drowned in the rush of water
josh then going into a slow meltdown realising he is a murderer
some tense scenes as he sees vehicles and strangers come and go
he breaks the rules of no contact to learn dena likewise affected
a visit to her leading to her 'accidently pulling out' of the team
harmon then advising josh to disappear for a very long time
the closing scene - he applying for a job in a sports store
that's it - the credits roll - the music - minimalist - jeff grace
strange and sudden ending but there's no doubt he will be busted
overall it's a fairly bleak film done in a deliberately austere style
no real environmental message sent - more a psychological drama
works pretty well too - and good to see an unadorned american film
kelly reichardt the director cementing her style apparently
some reviewers claimed it to be ultimately boring
but not me - glad to see it on it's final night...
