Echo Lake

It was lovely to start out seeing the lovely Echo Lake area where I've trampled half my life - but certainly ANOTHER thing to see a rather slow moving, nonsensical life "story" unfold clumsily and in a very shallow manner. If it was meant to "entertain" it did not. If it was meant to leave a sincere message? It did not. It was a poor rendition of being young and stupid in a VARIETY of ways, the least not being the wholly immature profanity and multiple addictions indicating a HUGE stunt in growth of this clearly, tempermental late 20's if not early 30's "kid". It's possible the story itself is BETTER when written - but the acting fell in ALL parties and didn't even "carry" the storyline very well due to complete failure of worthy dialog 9 out of 10 times.

It's a great movie about an irresponsible guy named William in his thirties. He goes back to the cabin to live, owned by his father after he died. The main purpose was to sell the cabin and make cash, but the plan changes after he realizes his mistakes by experiencing solitude. Loved all the landscapes in the movie. Made me feel like I was on a vacation at some National Park. Highly recommended for all the nature-lovers, who enjoy hitch-hiking in the forest.

William is a slacker. He's not unintelligent nor unendearing. But he battles addiction which saps his drive and corrupts his life choices. His unreliability is maddening. Occasionally, he straightens out, does the dishes and tries to gather the shambles of his life into some semblance of order. But he inevitably reverts to his chaotic ways. Inheriting a cabin from his deceased and estranged father might be the crucial impetus for him finally getting his life together. But with addicts, it's never a sure thing.

By the end, do we find enough compassion to redeem William or is he a lost cause? This question is not easily answered which is what redeems this film. We aren't provided with a sappy sweet ending but are left on the fence to make a choice and it's not an easy one. I've wavered back and forth and still do after watching this film. If you're the type of person who needs closure and pat endings in films then stay away. But if you prefer to ponder and wonder then you'll find this film satisfying.