Review by Geoff Jenke
Script writer Taylor Sheridan makes his debut as Director of a feature film. He also wrote the film, along with scripts for Sicario and Hell or High Water. Both films are great cinematography so can Taylor keep up the high standard as writer and director? You bet he can.
According to the opening titles, the movie was based on real life events.
The title Wind River refers to the Indian Reservation where the film takes place.
The movie opens with a young girl running barefoot over the snow covered mountains of Wyoming, before dropping dead in a pool of blood. However, you do not see anyone chasing her. Cory Lambert (Jeremy Lambert), a local game tracker stumbles upon the body soon after. Corey is still coming to terms with his own teenage daughter’s death and must confront his own past.
FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) is assigned the case and she enlists the help of Cory to navigate the unfamiliar terrain and unforgiving conditions. The two delve into a world ravaged by violence and the elements. As the clues start to fit together it is obvious the film is smouldering to a violent conclusion.
The film is aided by a superb soundtrack from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis with its sober and haunting sounds. The mountain scenes are wonderful and beautifully filmed.
While most of the actors are not familiar to me, they come together nicely for the movie. This is easily Jeremy Lambert’s finest role since The Hurt Locker.
If you have seen the movie Hell or High Water (and you should have), you will be familiar with the feel of the movie. It is not a fast paced as Hell or High Water, but that may have been done deliberately.
Taylor Sheridan has shown he has the makings of a great director. Maybe this film is not quite up to Hell or High Water and Sicario, but it is darn close. His next movie should be interesting.
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