This is not three unconnected stories. Pay attention to the money. Is the hunter with the beard out in the woods for more than hunting? Does he know people are coming for the money and he's either going to track them to it or protect it from them? Does he leave his brother alone so that the guys looking for the money will kill him? Also, this could be his brother-in-law, but then again that would imply incest since he said under his breath how that he had constantly been with the other guy's wife growing up. He has a criminal background. Is the police officer who gets killed on the take, or are they after the guy with the black beard? Why does Joe ask his son if everything is okay at the cabin? He's sheriff. He knows his officer is missing. He knows everything is not okay, and he notices his other son's nice new TV. In the second scenario, the alienation between father and son is front & center. Why? How is it that the father has enough money to pave the streets of the town? How did they "find" the money? Clearly, someone is taking money from the mine to cover up the water pollution. It seems like it is likely Mitch's father. I think Joe knows this because of the way he is looking around the house (at the ceiling, maybe looking for places that his friend stashed the cash). That is why Mitch doesn't want his father's house. It's paid for with blood money. Why do you think Mitch went to work for the EPA? The separate scenes of the hunters, the couple, and the Mayor are very much related. It's all one story and leaves a person haunted by the trauma and trouble that Mitch is going to have to face as soon as his son tells him the truth which we should already know. Artfully done, and well-deserving of all the awards! Great acting. Nice sound track. Wonderful cinematography. Clever!
Review of West Virginia Stories
