Off the Map, Reviewed by Roger Ebert
Often I don’t share Roger Ebert’s taste in movies. Tonight, however, I discovered he wrote a fantastically good review of one my favorite movies, Off the Map, starring Sam Elliott and Joan Allen.
In his review, I think Ebert really nailed what makes this movie tick. Here’s a key paragraph that gives a particularly good feel for the movie:
Campbell Scott is an actor, and as a director he is able to trust his actors entirely. If they are doing their jobs, we will watch, no matter if the story centers on a man sitting at a table and everyone else essentially waiting for him to get up. The life force bubbling inside young Bo, suggested by de Angelis in a performance of unstudied grace, lets us know things will change, if only because she continues to push at life. “Off the Map” is visually beautiful as a portrait of lives in the middle of emptiness, but it’s not about the New Mexico scenery. It’s about feelings that shift among people who are good enough, curious enough or just maybe tired enough to let that happen.
If you have any real appreciation in life for stillness, or mindful reflection, I recommend the movie highly.
Here are links for watching the trailer, adding the movie to your Netflix queue, or buying the movie from Amazon.
Thanks for the pointer! That movie stars several of my favorite actors (Sam Elliott, Joan Allen, J.K. Simmons) and I had never heard of it before.
BTW, have you watched the HBO series The Wire?
Chris,
No, how was it?
Joshua
Excellent. The best television series I’ve seen so far. Many critics agree:
http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/wireseason4
I liked it because the writers do a very good job about making you care about all of the characters. The characters behave plausibly, given the incentives they face within the story. They handle details very well — you actually believe you’re watching real police officers, drug dealers, etc. Things get lost, equipment breaks, the characters have money problems. Sometimes characters behave heroically, sometimes their flaws get the best of them.
Chris,
Thanks for the recommendation.
The preview at Netflix didn’t look all that appealing to me, but you’re certainly right about the critics giving it rave reviews.
I’ve added Season 1 Disc 1 to my Netflix queue to try it out.
Joshua