A low-budget environmental activist thriller adapted from Andreas Malm's novel, indie director Daniel Goldhaber embeds his fast-moving tale How to Blow Up a Pipeline with a documentary like quality that becomes one of the more memorable and successful socially minded features of recent memory.
Following a rag-tag collection of social misfits, outcasts and deep-thinkers on a clandestine mission to Texas to disrupt a significant oil operation that represents the modern way of business and life they all hold in contempt for various reasons both real and perceived, Pipeline is brimming with tension and a palpable sense of foreboding with its DIY nature and seemingly improvised nature fitting in with its goal to great effect.
Making its mark in recent film festivals such as Palm Springs International, Toronto International and Miami Film Festival, Pipeline's release in the United States earlier this year even caused certain warnings to be issued by such companies as the one represented by the oil company in Goldhaber's film, while state authorities in America were concerned the film promotes sabotage and potentially deadly attacks as a way to make a stand by activists keen on making statements, Pipeline is a topical and realistic portrayal of where we find ourselves in the global space at present time.
Not able to give all of its characters room to shine in a relatively quickfire 100 minute runtime, there are times where you wish you cared a little more for the action seekers at the core of Goldhaber's affair but whether it's Ariela Barer's emotionally charged Xochitl, Kristine Froseth's in over her head Rowan, Sasha Lane's terminally ill Theo or Forrest Goodluck's backyard chemist and grated Native American Michael, Goldhaber has at the very least created a realistic and believable bunch of players who represent different spectrum's of such justice seekers, torn by their beliefs and the sense of crossing a line you don't come back from.
Backed by a moody and experimental score from Gavin Brivik and a gritty home movie like aesthetic that gives Pipeline a feeling that it could have existed in the 90's VHS market, Pipeline is a unique independent offering that stands out from a crowded marketplace, without ever reaching any forms of greatness.
Final Say -
Rarely pausing for breath and harbouring a strong sense of purpose at its core, How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a thriller with a difference and a low budget offering worthy of seeking out.
3 1/2 low flying drones out of 5
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)
Following a rag-tag collection of social misfits, outcasts and deep-thinkers on a clandestine mission to Texas to disrupt a significant oil operation that represents the modern way of business and life they all hold in contempt for various reasons both real and perceived, Pipeline is brimming with tension and a palpable sense of foreboding with its DIY nature and seemingly improvised nature fitting in with its goal to great effect.
Making its mark in recent film festivals such as Palm Springs International, Toronto International and Miami Film Festival, Pipeline's release in the United States earlier this year even caused certain warnings to be issued by such companies as the one represented by the oil company in Goldhaber's film, while state authorities in America were concerned the film promotes sabotage and potentially deadly attacks as a way to make a stand by activists keen on making statements, Pipeline is a topical and realistic portrayal of where we find ourselves in the global space at present time.
Not able to give all of its characters room to shine in a relatively quickfire 100 minute runtime, there are times where you wish you cared a little more for the action seekers at the core of Goldhaber's affair but whether it's Ariela Barer's emotionally charged Xochitl, Kristine Froseth's in over her head Rowan, Sasha Lane's terminally ill Theo or Forrest Goodluck's backyard chemist and grated Native American Michael, Goldhaber has at the very least created a realistic and believable bunch of players who represent different spectrum's of such justice seekers, torn by their beliefs and the sense of crossing a line you don't come back from.
Backed by a moody and experimental score from Gavin Brivik and a gritty home movie like aesthetic that gives Pipeline a feeling that it could have existed in the 90's VHS market, Pipeline is a unique independent offering that stands out from a crowded marketplace, without ever reaching any forms of greatness.
Final Say -
Rarely pausing for breath and harbouring a strong sense of purpose at its core, How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a thriller with a difference and a low budget offering worthy of seeking out.
3 1/2 low flying drones out of 5
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)