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Land

#1
Leigha Offline
Recently watched this film, somewhat excited to see Robin Wright's director debut, so to speak. Unfortunately, it's a bit disappointing - while the scenery is spectacular and you'll crave perhaps to live off the grid for a while (or maybe not), the narrative is deeply lacking. The basic premise of the movie, is Robin Wright plays a woman struggling with the loss of her family (husband and son), and takes to a faraway cabin hidden away atop a mountain in Wyoming. The viewer assumes based on what little dialogue there is, that Wright's character (Edee) can't deal with people as she grieves, as they expect her to ''be better''. Maybe she thinks disappearing into the mountains will heal her; much is left up to the viewer's guesswork because of the film's patchy plot.

It started out compelling, but I can't help but wonder why they didn't take a greater leap with the script. The acting is rather hollow (yet Wright is a great actress), and part of me thinks that maybe that was the whole point - to show that a simpler life, is also a quieter one. When it comes to grieving especially, time alone can seem both stifling and welcoming. But, as the viewer, I was waiting for something more stirring, perhaps? Clue me in on why I should care about this film and its cast, you know? Although, I did somewhat enjoy it...it just seemed too muted. I would recommend the film though, if you're looking for something a little different - calming, and reflective.

See for yourself. Maybe you'll take away something that I didn't. One thing is for sure, Wyoming is on my list for places to visit in the US!
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#2
Magical Realist Offline
(Jun 6, 2021 04:35 AM)Leigha Wrote: Recently watched this film, somewhat excited to see Robin Wright's director debut, so to speak. Unfortunately, it's a bit disappointing - while the scenery is spectacular and you'll crave perhaps to live off the grid for a while (or maybe not), the narrative is deeply lacking. The basic premise of the movie, is Robin Wright plays a woman struggling with the loss of her family (husband and son), and takes to a faraway cabin hidden away atop a mountain in Wyoming. The viewer assumes based on what little dialogue there is, that Wright's character (Edee) can't deal with people as she grieves, as they expect her to ''be better''. Maybe she thinks disappearing into the mountains will heal her; much is left up to the viewer's guesswork because of the film's patchy plot.

It started out compelling, but I can't help but wonder why they didn't take a greater leap with the script. The acting is rather hollow (yet Wright is a great actress), and part of me thinks that maybe that was the whole point - to show that a simpler life, is also a quieter one. When it comes to grieving especially, time alone can seem both stifling and welcoming. But, as the viewer, I was waiting for something more stirring, perhaps? Clue me in on why I should care about this film and its cast, you know? Although, I did somewhat enjoy it...it just seemed too muted. I would recommend the film though, if you're looking for something a little different - calming, and reflective.

See for yourself. Maybe you'll take away something that I didn't. One thing is for sure, Wyoming is on my list for places to visit in the US!

I saw the trailer to this and as usual got sucked into the often deceptive tone and mini-narrative it plays out. I think I will find in this movie's silences and straying from melodramatic tropes a refreshing detour as I have in my own life found much solace in being alone. Here's the trailer. See if it captures the spirit of the movie itself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOw20FDNnHA
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#3
Leigha Offline
(Jun 6, 2021 07:08 AM)Magical Realist Wrote:
(Jun 6, 2021 04:35 AM)Leigha Wrote: Recently watched this film, somewhat excited to see Robin Wright's director debut, so to speak. Unfortunately, it's a bit disappointing - while the scenery is spectacular and you'll crave perhaps to live off the grid for a while (or maybe not), the narrative is deeply lacking. The basic premise of the movie, is Robin Wright plays a woman struggling with the loss of her family (husband and son), and takes to a faraway cabin hidden away atop a mountain in Wyoming. The viewer assumes based on what little dialogue there is, that Wright's character (Edee) can't deal with people as she grieves, as they expect her to ''be better''. Maybe she thinks disappearing into the mountains will heal her; much is left up to the viewer's guesswork because of the film's patchy plot.

It started out compelling, but I can't help but wonder why they didn't take a greater leap with the script. The acting is rather hollow (yet Wright is a great actress), and part of me thinks that maybe that was the whole point - to show that a simpler life, is also a quieter one. When it comes to grieving especially, time alone can seem both stifling and welcoming. But, as the viewer, I was waiting for something more stirring, perhaps? Clue me in on why I should care about this film and its cast, you know? Although, I did somewhat enjoy it...it just seemed too muted. I would recommend the film though, if you're looking for something a little different - calming, and reflective.

See for yourself. Maybe you'll take away something that I didn't. One thing is for sure, Wyoming is on my list for places to visit in the US!

I saw the trailer to this and as usual got sucked into the often deceptive tone and mini-narrative it plays out. I think I will find in this movie's silences and straying from melodramatic tropes a refreshing detour as I have in my own life found much solace in being alone. Here's the trailer. See if it captures the spirit of the movie itself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOw20FDNnHA
I hear you. Not saying that an artificially melodramatic script would have been an improvement, but it’s the writers/directors job to make me care. Of course, most viewers will have dealt with bouts of grief or loss at some point in their lives, but that’s lazy writing / directing (imo) when there just isn’t enough of a backstory. (If the idea was to start with feeling empathy for the protagonist merely because we can relate, that’s just boring. Her story could have gone deeper, imo.) It felt less like a film and more like a YouTube travel vlogger, if that makes sense. Doubt that was Wright’s goal. lol

Now, living in the mountains of Wyoming, I didn’t expect much dialogue, but perhaps a flash back or two. Or three? It just felt like something was forgotten. The ending kind of rushed. Having said that, it’s a sweet, reflective film that teaches something that may be a subjective experience. And the title is “Land,” which maybe the hollowness of the plot was purposeful.
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#4
Secular Sanity Offline
We value happiness, which is often linked with good fortune, but bad things happen to good people all the time. We secure the right to the pursuit of happiness but sadness…not so much.

Never have I trusted Fortune, even when she seemed to offer peace. All those blessings which she kindly bestowed on me — money, public office, influence — I relegated to a place whence she could claim them back without bothering me. I kept a wide gap between them and me, with the result that she has taken them away, not torn them away. —Seneca

Leigha Wrote:Clue me in on why I should care about this film and its cast, you know?

She never gains your empathy because she doesn’t want empathy. She’s running away from social expectations.

Edee: I'm feeling that it's really difficult to be around people because they just want me to be better.
Therapist: So, you're not able to share what you're feeling with other people.
Edee: Why would I want anyone to share in that?
Therapist: But that means you're alone with your pain.


She doesn’t want others to feel her pain. That won’t change anything. She wants to grieve.

All your sorrows have been wasted on you if you have not yet learned how to be wretched. —Seneca


The 80’s song lyrics seemed rather fitting for this film.

My favorite line, though…

Edee: Why are you helping me?
Miguel: You were in my path.


He taught her how to survive, but he allowed her to be sad—no condolences—no unsolicited advice…just quiet compassionate company.

I liked it.

This one was pretty good, too.


https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KQ0gFidlro8
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#5
Leigha Offline
(Jun 8, 2021 01:24 AM)Secular Sanity Wrote: We value happiness, which is often linked with good fortune, but bad things happen to good people all the time. We secure the right to the pursuit of happiness but sadness…not so much.

Never have I trusted Fortune, even when she seemed to offer peace. All those blessings which she kindly bestowed on me — money, public office, influence — I relegated to a place whence she could claim them back without bothering me. I kept a wide gap between them and me, with the result that she has taken them away, not torn them away. —Seneca

Leigha Wrote:Clue me in on why I should care about this film and its cast, you know?

She never gains your empathy because she doesn’t want empathy. She’s running away from social expectations.

Edee: I'm feeling that it's really difficult to be around people because they just want me to be better.
Therapist: So, you're not able to share what you're feeling with other people.
Edee: Why would I want anyone to share in that?
Therapist: But that means you're alone with your pain.


She doesn’t want others to feel her pain. That won’t change anything. She wants to grieve.

All your sorrows have been wasted on you if you have not yet learned how to be wretched. —Seneca


The 80’s song lyrics seemed rather fitting for this film.

My favorite line, though…

Edee: Why are you helping me?
Miguel: You were in my path.


He taught her how to survive, but he allowed her to be sad—no condolences—no unsolicited advice…just quiet compassionate company.

I liked it.

This one was pretty good, too.


https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KQ0gFidlro8

You’ve given me a different perspective, SS! I felt it was quietly impactful and it stirred something in me but was hoping for a bit more. But when I’ve ever been grieving, people’s expectations of me were possibly what I was expecting of this film...ironically. To explain itself, and she didn’t need to.

Thanks for adding your insight.
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#6
stryder Offline
I've undeleted the thread. (Should their be any reason to remove anything Leigh, drop me a PM to explain why and I'll clean it up the best I can without removing the whole thread.)
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#7
Syne Offline
Wow, did Leigha get pissy and even delete her avatar too?
On Sciforums too it seems.
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#8
confused2 Offline
@Syne
If, as seems likely, you were dropped on your head when you were a baby this is an issue you should take up with your parents.
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#9
Syne Offline
@C2
Fuck off moron. When someone deletes a thread of theirs and then removes their avatars from both science forums, most rational humans will suspect something is amiss. Perhaps that leaves you right out.
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#10
Leigha Offline
Nothing is “amiss.” I could get into the specific reasons, but just not feeling the same about forum-life that I had felt in the past. It used to be a fun distraction of sorts, and now it’s not even that (to me), anymore.

Everyone’s mileage will vary, I guess.
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