Reviews

I just watched the film and have more questions than answers. Yes I was sorry about what happened to them, obviously, but nothing was really resolved. They ended up going at the last minute and where to exactly? They didn't look like they had any money, just a bunch of horses and potatoes, how far is that going to get them? None of them can read or write, how much are they going to be taken advantage of in the big, bad world? And what makes them think that they are going to be better off 'out there', then they were in their isolated community? There are way more men to hurt them then there are in their little community. At least they now know what's going on and could've watched out for each other and taken a pitchfork to anyone who messed with them? The Ona character walked away from the one good man who loved her, played so sweetly by Ben Wishaw. I get that he was supposed to stay there and teach the boys, but come on, he was going to get stabbed by the mean old drunk guy left behind. This movie was supposed to be hopeful, I think, but it left me more worried for them than ever.

Blythe Danner, Sam Elliot and an interesting supporting cast - how bad could it be? The worst!! The story is pointless - a widowed woman of 20 years just ambling though life with her best friend - her dog. Sounds sweet - until it dies in the first few scenes. Think you're depressed - this film is just getting going. She develops a strange friendship with the pool boy, another aimless soul who has no idea what he's doing in life, so they make a good pair. It's uncomfortable because of their huge age difference and you're just not sure where this 'relationship' is going. She has some friends who encourage her to date and she finally ends up meeting someone she likes in her age bracket. It's Sam Elliot, endlessly chomping on an unlit cigar, but somehow she still finds him attractive. They sleep together after the third date, voila - he ends up dying. Her somewhat estranged daughter visits at this time and watches her be really sad. Mind you - there is no humor in this film. It just slogs along and teaches you what? That life sucks and then you die - but maybe before that you can enjoy time with your dog. I truly want to know how this film got made.