Wind River
3/4
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, Gil Birmingham
Rated R for Strong Violence, A Rape, Disturbing Images, and Language
With "Wind River," it isn't a case of the Emperor having no clothes. The movie is too good for that. But there's no denying that while what is presented is well done, it never expands upon what is really just routine. Apart from the setting and a few details, there is little that hasn't been done before in other, better movies. This is not what you'd call a daring motion picture.
Cory Lambert (Renner) works for US Fish and Wildlife, which is really just a fancy way of saying that he hunts animals that threaten the local livestock. While tracking a mountain lion and her cubs that have killed a cattle, he finds the location of a dead body. For legal reasons, that falls into the jurisdiction of the FBI, who send a passionate and energetic young agent named Jane Banner (Olsen) to find the killer. With the help of a local cop named Ben (Greene), the three follow the clues to find the murderer.
It isn't a terribly unique premise, nor does it do much to differentiate itself in execution. The characters and the plot developments are all familiar. As are the character types: the grieving father, the closed off but skilled hero, the agent out of her element, the local color. All the usual players are here. That they are assembled well soothes the wound, but it's still "been there, done that."
At least there are a trio of good actors taking center stage. Jeremy Renner is in fine form as the intelligent but unfeeling Cory. While I have previously decried this cliché of a character, Renner does enough with it that Cory doesn't become the tired "macho man who can't express himself" hero. He has his reasons, and Renner is a good enough actor that he makes Cory sympathetic rather than just another doofus you want to hit in the face. Likewise, Elizabeth Olsen also does a lot with the "rookie who needs the lead's help" routine. Whether it's the strong dialogue or just her talent, Jane is easy to like and root for. Graham Greene, sadly, is wasted. The underrated actor is underused to the point where he just stands around setting up Cory or Jane's dialogue.
Taylor Sheridan, who wrote both "Sicario" and "Hell or High Water," is making his directorial debut here. It shows that he has talent but is unwilling to take any chances. It's a shame, really, because he has the skills to do something really deep and daring. The mood is grim and oppressive, but there's nothing to back it up. The acting is good, but there's nothing to set them apart from other similar characters. The violence is brutal, including a rape scene that suggests more than it shows, but...well, I can't exactly defend those. When someone is shot, they seem to move weightlessly, which lessens the impact.
And yet, I recommend the film. I was never bored, and while it doesn't add up to much, it kept me engaged. Plus, it will undoubtedly satiate the tastes of an audience who has gotten little love over the years: adults who love smart, if grim, mysteries. For those reasons, I recommend "Wind River."
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, Gil Birmingham
Rated R for Strong Violence, A Rape, Disturbing Images, and Language
With "Wind River," it isn't a case of the Emperor having no clothes. The movie is too good for that. But there's no denying that while what is presented is well done, it never expands upon what is really just routine. Apart from the setting and a few details, there is little that hasn't been done before in other, better movies. This is not what you'd call a daring motion picture.
Cory Lambert (Renner) works for US Fish and Wildlife, which is really just a fancy way of saying that he hunts animals that threaten the local livestock. While tracking a mountain lion and her cubs that have killed a cattle, he finds the location of a dead body. For legal reasons, that falls into the jurisdiction of the FBI, who send a passionate and energetic young agent named Jane Banner (Olsen) to find the killer. With the help of a local cop named Ben (Greene), the three follow the clues to find the murderer.
It isn't a terribly unique premise, nor does it do much to differentiate itself in execution. The characters and the plot developments are all familiar. As are the character types: the grieving father, the closed off but skilled hero, the agent out of her element, the local color. All the usual players are here. That they are assembled well soothes the wound, but it's still "been there, done that."
At least there are a trio of good actors taking center stage. Jeremy Renner is in fine form as the intelligent but unfeeling Cory. While I have previously decried this cliché of a character, Renner does enough with it that Cory doesn't become the tired "macho man who can't express himself" hero. He has his reasons, and Renner is a good enough actor that he makes Cory sympathetic rather than just another doofus you want to hit in the face. Likewise, Elizabeth Olsen also does a lot with the "rookie who needs the lead's help" routine. Whether it's the strong dialogue or just her talent, Jane is easy to like and root for. Graham Greene, sadly, is wasted. The underrated actor is underused to the point where he just stands around setting up Cory or Jane's dialogue.
Taylor Sheridan, who wrote both "Sicario" and "Hell or High Water," is making his directorial debut here. It shows that he has talent but is unwilling to take any chances. It's a shame, really, because he has the skills to do something really deep and daring. The mood is grim and oppressive, but there's nothing to back it up. The acting is good, but there's nothing to set them apart from other similar characters. The violence is brutal, including a rape scene that suggests more than it shows, but...well, I can't exactly defend those. When someone is shot, they seem to move weightlessly, which lessens the impact.
And yet, I recommend the film. I was never bored, and while it doesn't add up to much, it kept me engaged. Plus, it will undoubtedly satiate the tastes of an audience who has gotten little love over the years: adults who love smart, if grim, mysteries. For those reasons, I recommend "Wind River."
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