Land

Maybe it's a trend, maybe it's a passing phase, but simplistic stories about becoming one with the wild have been hard to ignore of late. From Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland' to Robin Wright's 'Land,' following the stories of women who have tried to disappear into nature has made for intriguing subject matter.

In Wright's directorial debut we follow the journey of Edee, a middle-aged woman who escapes civilization as she copes with guilt that stems from a tragic personal loss. The film's low budget-ness helps give it an authentic feel, as the focus is on the Wyoming wilderness and the struggle Edee has not only with the elements, but with her inner demons. But it's not all doom and gloom - we get to witness a rebirth of sorts with her budding friendship with a local man (Demián Bichir), as well as a very important learning by film's end.

If 'Land' is an example of what Wright is capable of on both sides of the camera, we should expect much more to come.

For a drama like this there was some nice mystery and tension too. The landscape and cinematography was amazing. The simple yet effective cast was convincing. I got a bit teary eyed.

A woman in despair after a tragedy retreats to a cabin in the mountains to live alone.

Robin Wright directs her own performance, spending much time onscreen alone and silent as a woman struggling to survive both in relation to the wilderness and her own pain. Her performance always rings true emotionally, and the beats of her transformation are lucid. The landscape is beautifully filmed, the landscapes are vast, the winter is bitterly cold and the wilderness is living and breathing; though her interaction with it, her struggle to chop wood and hunt deer, the physical realities of her life, a very superficially depicted. The beauty and tangibility of the world is so real that I can't help but want to believe in her relationship with it. But the ultimate impact, of a woman struggling with significant emotional turmoil and despair, is real and her transformations and relationships are moving.

This is a minimalistic film, but it offers a lot. First, the scenery and cinematography are both stunning. Second, details of the harsh life are portrayed very well. Then, the journey of healing is beautifully portrayed. The characters are sympathetic, and they make you care about them. I think this is a very good film.

This is a beautiful film about people, about loss and about how people try to cope with that loss. Robin Wright's protagonist chooses to go away, escaping everything and everybody.

Land is a great reminder that the budget of a good movie doesn't have to be huge; you can tell an interesting story without expensive sets and an enormous cast and crew.

I wouldn't have thought that it would be a good idea to star in your own directorial debut, but Robin Wright comes out perfectly fine, both as an actor and as a director.

Demián Bichir does a beautifully understated performance in the supporting role of Miguel, and while the sets are not expensive, they often present breathtaking mountain vistas.

Land is definitely worth watching.