Film like art is subjective, some people may see a canvas covered in red paint and see anger, passion and lust, others might just see a red canvas.
The same can be said of this film, it follows a wagon train of three families who have hired a mountain man Stephen Meek to guide them over the cascade mountains. Claiming to know a shortcut, the group become lost and must overcome thirst, hunger and rising doubts in their guide and odds of survival. When they cross oaths with a native American wanderer the emigrants are torn between who they consider the enemy and the man who has led them astray.
To be fair the acting is solid and the cinematography excellent. The minimalist dialogue and slow pacing all add to the realism of the piece. Still many viewers may tire from the lack of direction, a narrative, action or any real stimulus in general. People enjoy watching movies for some sort of catharsis, something to take away, or to just escape for a few hours.
Overall what you take away from this film is what you choose to apply to it, the film never really delves into any particular character arc, or story that really gives you anything to chew on. As an art piece it succeeds but as entertainment there really isn't anything to go on, art imitates life without any singular purpose.
Not my cup of tea, dull, but serves as a reasonable portrayal of what early emigrants had to go through, perhaps if you are the sort that enjoys expressionist art this may appeal to you.
The same can be said of this film, it follows a wagon train of three families who have hired a mountain man Stephen Meek to guide them over the cascade mountains. Claiming to know a shortcut, the group become lost and must overcome thirst, hunger and rising doubts in their guide and odds of survival. When they cross oaths with a native American wanderer the emigrants are torn between who they consider the enemy and the man who has led them astray.
To be fair the acting is solid and the cinematography excellent. The minimalist dialogue and slow pacing all add to the realism of the piece. Still many viewers may tire from the lack of direction, a narrative, action or any real stimulus in general. People enjoy watching movies for some sort of catharsis, something to take away, or to just escape for a few hours.
Overall what you take away from this film is what you choose to apply to it, the film never really delves into any particular character arc, or story that really gives you anything to chew on. As an art piece it succeeds but as entertainment there really isn't anything to go on, art imitates life without any singular purpose.
Not my cup of tea, dull, but serves as a reasonable portrayal of what early emigrants had to go through, perhaps if you are the sort that enjoys expressionist art this may appeal to you.