One of the flaws that independent films often suffer from is the lack of structure in the story though we realize the filmmaker is attempting to present something in a more realistic manner. Even after audience members have bought into the story's style one can't help but feel a need to understand what exactly we are supposed to bring from viewing this. Story is set in a remote area in New Mexico where in flashbacks Bo Groden (Amy Brenneman) looks back at her upbringing which was considerably different than that of others.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** 12 year old Bo (Valentina de Angelis) is being home schooled by her mother Arlene (Joan Allen) and they live in a desert home somewhere between Las Cruces and El Paso. Bo's father is Charley (Sam Elliott) and he is going through terrible depression which has left him staring into space and going through crying binges and he is urged by his wife and daughter to try anti-depressants which he refuses to do. Charley has stopped filing his taxes and this brings William Gibbs (Jim True-Frost) from the IRS to their home. He is stung by a bee and falls ill for several days but when he eventually gets better not only does he explain his own personal depression but he also claims his love for Arlene!
This is directed by actor Campbell Scott who in 1996 made a very good film called "Big Night" but his directing efforts have been spotty ever since. Many have stated that they enjoyed this as a quirky slice of life but I personally did not and the main reason comes from Joan Ackerman's script which comes across as totally aimless. The film wants it's viewers to understand why the character William would have a life altering experience from being in New Mexico and that part just does not come across as believable. As soon as he wakes up from being ill he declares his love for Arlene but the problem is that aside from seeing her nude he hasn't spent much time with her. Maybe he's just incredibly horny! Elliott is a terrific actor but I didn't believe his bout with depression either mainly because he's such a strong force on film one would just expect him to brush aside something like that and get on with his life. Allen's performance is the saving grace but even her character is hard to buy at times and the perfect example is the scene where she's getting ready to skin a bear after just killing it. Jeremiah Johnson would be very impressed! Allen is very good though and while she's always been very attractive this role does something that other parts in films haven't and that's show her in a more earthy light. The image she portrays here exudes a sexuality that audience members may never have seen before and it has nothing to do with her beautiful body which she shows in nude scenes. The film's story wanders and pointlessly goes through about 8 years in the life of this family and it never heads to any real conclusion which may have worked with a better script. Although I do respect what the actors were trying to do (especially Allen) the rest of the film just isn't up to the speed of their talent and the result is a film that plods along aimlessly.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** 12 year old Bo (Valentina de Angelis) is being home schooled by her mother Arlene (Joan Allen) and they live in a desert home somewhere between Las Cruces and El Paso. Bo's father is Charley (Sam Elliott) and he is going through terrible depression which has left him staring into space and going through crying binges and he is urged by his wife and daughter to try anti-depressants which he refuses to do. Charley has stopped filing his taxes and this brings William Gibbs (Jim True-Frost) from the IRS to their home. He is stung by a bee and falls ill for several days but when he eventually gets better not only does he explain his own personal depression but he also claims his love for Arlene!
This is directed by actor Campbell Scott who in 1996 made a very good film called "Big Night" but his directing efforts have been spotty ever since. Many have stated that they enjoyed this as a quirky slice of life but I personally did not and the main reason comes from Joan Ackerman's script which comes across as totally aimless. The film wants it's viewers to understand why the character William would have a life altering experience from being in New Mexico and that part just does not come across as believable. As soon as he wakes up from being ill he declares his love for Arlene but the problem is that aside from seeing her nude he hasn't spent much time with her. Maybe he's just incredibly horny! Elliott is a terrific actor but I didn't believe his bout with depression either mainly because he's such a strong force on film one would just expect him to brush aside something like that and get on with his life. Allen's performance is the saving grace but even her character is hard to buy at times and the perfect example is the scene where she's getting ready to skin a bear after just killing it. Jeremiah Johnson would be very impressed! Allen is very good though and while she's always been very attractive this role does something that other parts in films haven't and that's show her in a more earthy light. The image she portrays here exudes a sexuality that audience members may never have seen before and it has nothing to do with her beautiful body which she shows in nude scenes. The film's story wanders and pointlessly goes through about 8 years in the life of this family and it never heads to any real conclusion which may have worked with a better script. Although I do respect what the actors were trying to do (especially Allen) the rest of the film just isn't up to the speed of their talent and the result is a film that plods along aimlessly.