I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute at the final Park City Sundance and I am here with a review for THE WEIGHT

 

3.5 out of 5.

 

This film is directed by Padraic McKinley and stars Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe.

 

A gritty crime drama set during the Great Depression in the gorgeous mossy forests of Oregon (though actually filmed in Germany). This is a fun, 70s-thriller throwback that lets the actors chew through some meaty dialogue. I was annoyed that most of it was filmed in shaky extreme closeup and I thought the realistic Depression-poorness tone of the beginning jarred with the rock music triumphant ending.

 

Best scene. There is a very Sorcerer-like bridge sequence that would be great except it makes ZERO sense, so I will go with a tense logging river sequence. It is calculated and thrilling, showing how heavy tree logs can be slow-moving harbingers of death.

 

Performer. In the middle of a terrific run of acting performances, Hawke continues his streak here. He is growly and brilliant, sensitive and empathetic, and I have to credit his makeup artist, the bruises on his face at the end makes him look tremendously badass.

 

See this one for a fun, gritty tense ride.