The Clearing (1997) User Reviews

Powerful Short Film...

[cchase · 9/10 · 26 August 2008]

Titus Welliver and Laurel Holloman are two of the kind of actors you see in other projects, and you recognize them, but their names are always "just on the tip of your tongue." That, or they get mistaken for other "name" actors. That dilemma ended for me when I stumbled across this amazing short one day on the IFC Channel. Independent film doesn't get much better than this.

A chance encounter between two lost souls that for once doesn't feel forced or contrived, they both did some of their best work here. Welliver digs especially deep to reveal the inner scars and bruises of his character - a revelation here, since many of the "bad guys" he has played before seemed to be a lot less complex.

And writer/director Kat Smith really shines here, by simply relying on strong character development to carry the story. There are many high-profile "artistes" who could certainly learn a lot by watching this short.

Too bad it's not available on DVD. The best you can do is catch it on one of the channels like Sundance or IFC, but if you see it on the schedule, it's definitely worth a look.

A brilliant snapshot of hope when two lives cross

[ruinernin · 10/10 · 14 April 2001]

A woman wanting to abandon her old life meets up with a convict wanting to escape his own past, and they share what it is to be human. This movie was very artistically done, and the climax was brilliant. If you like Hollywood endings than you won't like this, but if you like art films this is for you. It couldn't have been done better.

suspenseful and stirring

[cybercoach · 10/10 · 25 June 2003]

Kat Smith has, with The Clearing, demonstrated considerable writing and directorial prowess as she follows two lost and desperate souls who serendipitously connect in a wooded clearing. It portrays neatly and deeply the range of emotion, and possibility, and unpredictability inherent in this archetypical encounter, and through that leaves the viewer wondering on many many levels. It is an elegant work, yielding much zeitgeist from limited footage -- a perfect example of "less is more." I heartily recommend this film, and look forward to more from Ms. Smith.

Brief review

[tw-92394 · 3/10 · 4 March 2016]

I viewed the clearing and was very impressed by your many talents. The very best of luck to you in all your intentions, may they all be rewarding and productive. The Clearing: A review This reminds me a of seedy dysfunction meandering of a freshman film school offering. One star out of 4. One thing the movie does so well is to capture the characters with a minimal of dialogue. When the dialogue arrives, a minute or so in, it drew me in to the highly flawed story and I was not as concerned with the fundamentals of lighting, sound, Foley, camera angles, lens, and framing. Those work elements are all important but the basic tools of the trade that have mastered enough to then let the essence of the story shine through to lead the viewer into the lives of the main two characters. It reminded me of the European style of film making that is not dependent so heavily on dialogue and the depth of the portrayed situation(s) make the flawed character or three dimensional and more relate-able to the general audience. What the film "has to say" leads the viewer to observe and interpret for themselves as the story unfolds. The quandary of "what is to become of a perplexing situation" gives movement to the plot line in an understated contemplative magnetic drama. It lingers hauntingly as the characters portraits are fleshed out. I too am left to ponder their fates and the earnest efforts of their "hope." Conclusion: Hey no one is perfect; Some are as well as some films are far less perfect than others.

We are all flawed but the trials of choices comes through with a strong desire to rise above any limitations with a bit of hope, faith, action and well rooted good intentions. What else is there? I have seen this film twice. It is a short stale potato chip, not a full loaded with sour cream, bacon bits and chives baked one.

A touching,haunting film about two flawed people looking for hope

[laurasalinger · 10/10 · 19 November 2001]

I saw this film at the Mill Valley film festival, and watched it again when it aired on tv. It's beautifully shot, the acting is restrained and honest, and the directing, assured. The writing slowly reveals the characters with great economy. They're two flawed people who are trying to fix their lives in all the wrong ways, and somehow, through this happenstance meeting, they both find something within themselves that they need to go on, although nothing ultimately gets "fixed." The film stayed with me for days, and there aren't a lot of Hollywood films out there I can say that about