Tumbleweeds
3.5/4
Starring: Janet McTeer, Kimberly J. Brown, Gavin O'Connor, Jay O. Sanders
Rated PG-13 for Language, Sensuality and a Scene of Domestic Discord
Recently, I've been watching slice-of-life character studies (unintentionally, I might add). "Win Win," "From Here to Eternity," "Vera Drake" (unfinished). Gavin O'Connor's debut film, "Tumbleweeds," fits into the category where the characters are so well drawn and so interesting that a plot would be more of a hindrance than anything.
After her latest marriage ends in a scene of near violence (the amount of tension nearly approaches "Once Were Warriors" level), Mary Jo Walker (McTeer) flees with her daughter Ava (Brown) in tow. After a bit of debate, they decide to head out west to California. On the way, the car breaks down and they're helped by a handsome trucker named Jack (O'Connor). When they get to California, Mary Jo runs into Jack, and they hit it off again. In no short order, Mary Jo and Ava have moved in with him. Mary Jo thinks that she's finally found the right guy, but Ava knows the pattern. She knows it's only a matter of time before this relationship fizzles up and they'll have to go on the road again.
The amount of character development is astonishing. So few movies take the time to flesh out the characters to this level, and Gavin O'Connor proves himself to be a master storyteller (he co-wrote and directed the MMA movie "Warrior," which made my Top Ten list two years ago). All four of the leads, Mary Jo, Ava, Jack and Mary Jo's kind co-worker Dan (Sanders), become three-dimensional people we know and understand.
It goes without saying that the performances are outstanding (all four deserved Oscar nominations, although only McTeer was awarded the honor). Janet McTeer is excellent as Mary Jo. She's a devoted mother and has self-respect, but she always chooses the latter when it comes to "fight or flight." Also excellent is her young co-star, Kimberly J. Brown. Ava is smart enough to know her mother better than she does, but lacks Mary Jo's worldliness. Their relationship is interesting because in some ways Mary Jo is the more mature one, but in others it's Ava. Co-writer/director Gavin O'Connor is also very good as Jack. Initially, he's a stud, and we want Mary Jo to ride off in the sunset with him (Mary Jo is one of those people who is in love with the "honeymoon" period). But the more we get to know him, we see that he's got anger issues and is not exactly who we thought. But arguably the most impressive performance is given by Jay O. Sanders. Sanders is a character actor of some repute, and he gives a kind and gentle performance as Jack, who has been attracted to Mary Jo from afar. This guy couldn't be more lovable if he tried, and his sad story tore at my heart.
Apart from a few rookie mistakes (jumpy editing), this is essentially a flawless film. Those who watch it will definitely feel as if their time has been well spent in the company of a few very interesting and likable people.
Starring: Janet McTeer, Kimberly J. Brown, Gavin O'Connor, Jay O. Sanders
Rated PG-13 for Language, Sensuality and a Scene of Domestic Discord
Recently, I've been watching slice-of-life character studies (unintentionally, I might add). "Win Win," "From Here to Eternity," "Vera Drake" (unfinished). Gavin O'Connor's debut film, "Tumbleweeds," fits into the category where the characters are so well drawn and so interesting that a plot would be more of a hindrance than anything.
After her latest marriage ends in a scene of near violence (the amount of tension nearly approaches "Once Were Warriors" level), Mary Jo Walker (McTeer) flees with her daughter Ava (Brown) in tow. After a bit of debate, they decide to head out west to California. On the way, the car breaks down and they're helped by a handsome trucker named Jack (O'Connor). When they get to California, Mary Jo runs into Jack, and they hit it off again. In no short order, Mary Jo and Ava have moved in with him. Mary Jo thinks that she's finally found the right guy, but Ava knows the pattern. She knows it's only a matter of time before this relationship fizzles up and they'll have to go on the road again.
The amount of character development is astonishing. So few movies take the time to flesh out the characters to this level, and Gavin O'Connor proves himself to be a master storyteller (he co-wrote and directed the MMA movie "Warrior," which made my Top Ten list two years ago). All four of the leads, Mary Jo, Ava, Jack and Mary Jo's kind co-worker Dan (Sanders), become three-dimensional people we know and understand.
It goes without saying that the performances are outstanding (all four deserved Oscar nominations, although only McTeer was awarded the honor). Janet McTeer is excellent as Mary Jo. She's a devoted mother and has self-respect, but she always chooses the latter when it comes to "fight or flight." Also excellent is her young co-star, Kimberly J. Brown. Ava is smart enough to know her mother better than she does, but lacks Mary Jo's worldliness. Their relationship is interesting because in some ways Mary Jo is the more mature one, but in others it's Ava. Co-writer/director Gavin O'Connor is also very good as Jack. Initially, he's a stud, and we want Mary Jo to ride off in the sunset with him (Mary Jo is one of those people who is in love with the "honeymoon" period). But the more we get to know him, we see that he's got anger issues and is not exactly who we thought. But arguably the most impressive performance is given by Jay O. Sanders. Sanders is a character actor of some repute, and he gives a kind and gentle performance as Jack, who has been attracted to Mary Jo from afar. This guy couldn't be more lovable if he tried, and his sad story tore at my heart.
Apart from a few rookie mistakes (jumpy editing), this is essentially a flawless film. Those who watch it will definitely feel as if their time has been well spent in the company of a few very interesting and likable people.
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