Land movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Land

Released in theaters on February 12, 2021. Focus Features is a branch of Universal Studios, which recently made a deal with AMC Theaters that allows the studio to release their movies on Video On Demand 17 days after a theater release.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 29 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

This drama asks “Why am I here?”, a question each one of us should ask about our own life. Written by Jesse Chatham and Erin Dignam, the movie features a woman who escapes to the wilderness because it’s too painful to be around people while she mourns the loss of love. It stars the wonderfully talented Robin Wright who also produced and directed this poignant film. This is her directorial debut! She wasn’t planning on starring in it too, but due to a short scheduling conflict, she figured she might as well act in the role since she was already going to be there! This film received a lot of love and buzz at the Sundance Film Festival. I’d love to hear what YOU think of it, so please comment below your reaction!

THINGS I LIKED:

I’ve been a fan of Robin Wright ever since I first saw her in The Princess Bride many years ago. She’s beautiful and talented. I loved her as Jenny in Forrest Gump and more recently as Antiope in the new Wonder Woman franchise. In this movie, she gives a vulnerable, raw, and powerful performance. Emmy-nominated Robin Wright had her hand at directing some of the fan-favorite episodes in House of Cards (The Complete Season 1-5) (Blu-ray) (Boxset), but this is the first time she directed a featured film. She’s off to a great start.
Beautiful cinematography by Bobby Bukowski.
Lovely music by both Ben Sollee and Time for Three. Great choices.
I enjoyed the character study as we get to watch Robin Wright’s character try to heal and learn how to live in the wilderness of Wyoming.
The film was shot in only 29 days.
There’s a dramatic punch in Act 3 that catches you off guard. It perfectly illustrates the main theme and question of the film. I’m so glad that the plot didn’t go for the easy ending.
We don’t have all of the puzzle pieces in Acts 1 & 2, which is interesting. Like Robin Wright’s character, the details are carefully guarded and slowly let go.
The storytelling and music are not manipulative to force you to cry…but you will cry. Robin Wright’s performance is very touching.
While some people might be annoyed that there isn’t much dialogue, I thought it was a perfect choice because the silence allows you to really get in tune with the gorgeous nature you’re seeing. Haven’t most of us wondered what it would be like to escape from the world’s busy life to a wilderness cabin? Well, if given the choice, I’d rather pick a little bungalow on a secluded beach…

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s a slow burn without much dialogue. Some people would call that “boring”, although I appreciated it because healing takes a long time, so the slow pace was intentional.
I read a review where someone described this as a survival film by L. L. Bean, which made me laugh. Another critic thought the movie was just another privileged white woman seeking a new life. That comment annoyed me because Robin Wright’s color could have been anything. She was simply representing the human experience of healing. Sheesh!
It’s so frustrating to watch people in movies make terrible decisions.
Somewhat predictable
No real humor. It’s very somber.
The ending is a little vague, but hopeful.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Talk and portrayal of suicide and death
Animals are killed by guns. You see some blood and “dressing” a deer.
Kids will be very bored
You see the naked backside of a woman in a bathtub.

THEMES:

The will to live
Suicide
Hope
Your purpose in life
Isolation
Grief, pain, healing
There are places that change us
The kindness of strangers
As much as we might not want to be around people sometimes, the truth is that we really do need one another.

FUNNY LINES:

* “There’s like 1000 Star Wars videos and you’ve never seen one? Then again, neither would Yoda.” – Edee (Robin Wright)

INTERESTING LINES:

“I’m feeling like it’s really difficult to be around people because they just want me to be better.” – Edee (Robin Wright)
“I’m not hiding. I’m not running from anyone. I’m here because I choose to be.” – Edee (Robin Wright)
“I can’t take money for doing the right thing.” – Miguel (Demian Bichir)
“There are better ways to die.” – Miguel (Demian Bichir)
“Do you ever feel lonely here?” – Miguel “I’d be more lonely there than here.” – Edee