WIND RIVER [2017]

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Jordan Dodd

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Julia Jones, Kelsey Asbille

Somewhat experienced with the pen, Taylor Sheridan takes a step up to direct this film in his trilogy of the American frontier. This however is vastly different from Sicario and Hell or High Water – admittedly two very different films themselves. But both dealt with political issues revolving around the southern border of the United States.

Sheridan decided to direct this as he wanted to respect the Native Americans that he had spent time with, subsequently penning this screenplay.

As defined by Hine and Faragher, “frontier history tells the story of the creation and defence of communities, the use of the land, the development of markets, and the formation of states.” They explain, “It is a tale of conquest, but also one of survival, persistence, and the merging of peoples and cultures that gave birth and continuing life to America.”

Thanks Wikipedia, and given this definition, this film certainly sits will in the trilogy, especially given the fact that the Wind River Indian Reservation is a real place in Wyoming, not to mention the circumstances that we learn of regarding those who live there, both native and not. The borders of this reservation are no less restrictive that those depicted in Taylor’s last two films, if not more so.

Unfortunately, relatively speaking, Wind River is not as riveting as the action packed Sicario, or as funny and character filled as Hell of High Water. But this is comparing two fantastic films, both written by Sheridan, to his directorial debut. And for a directorial debut, Wind River delivers on multiple counts, both in the assured direction and the writing.

Immediately noticeable is Jeremy Renner’s focus and determination; this may be the best role he has ever played. The dialogue he is given, for the most part, is superb and thought provoking, with only a few predictable lines. The action is limited and is mostly focused on the narrative, but when it does hit, it is as unpredictable as a sucker punch. It isn’t extremely prevalent, but it is certainly memorable.

Also very noticeable is the strength of both the acting and the writing of Elizabeth Olsen’s FBI agent. At first she seems green and incredibly new to the job, but she slowly proves her worth. She may not be as amazing as Emily Blunt in Sicario, but she certainly comes close, with some scenes landing extremely powerfully.

The film though is primarily focused on the treatment of and the lives lived by Native Americans on this reservation, which has very little in the way of law enforcement.

Opening the film we see what could lead into a simple whodunit, as we watch a Native American girl running away from something obviously horrible, as she is barefoot and not clothed for the extreme snowy conditions. Cory’s (Renner) tracking/hunting skills come into play to solve this riddle we are presented with. How did this girl run so far in the snow, barefoot?

This is explored via both the Native Americans and non-Natives who live on the reservation. They feel trapped. Nothing but “silence and snow”. Apt, considering the opening scene and the mystery of a native woman trying to escape the reservation. How this mystery unfolds though is far from predicable and carries some heavy, thought provoking themes.

Enlisting Nick Cave and Warren Ellis to handle the soundtrack, as was the case in Hell or High Water, is also never a bad idea, as their work lends a minimal but haunting, atmospheric tone at precisely the right moments. We hear Cave’s soft voice quietly two or three times, and it sounds like there could be no other way this could be scored.

The ending at first seems abrupt, but the titles that are shown over the final shot are unnerving and really nail home the main themes of the film. There are some minor flaws – other than Olsen and Renner, all other characters are quite thin and rather forgettable. The meaningful dialogue also seems mostly reserved for these two, though there are some lines from other characters that carry some heft. Otherwise this is a hard film to fault. The cinematography looks incredible and makes the most of the snowy landscape, while a few scenes mislead the viewer, adding more weight to a narrative that is more complex that it seems.

A fine addition to Sheridan’s trilogy; we will be seeing more of him in the near future.

Five beers out of a sixer.

5/6

Category: 2017, Film

9 Comments on “WIND RIVER [2017]”

Tom
September 4, 2017

Nice review dude, I’m really looking forward to seeing Wind River. Having not seen too many reviews for it (not sure if that’s been intentional on my part or not), I’m anxious to get my hands on it. Love Jeremy Renner and love Taylor Sheridan. As you noted in your opening line, that guy can write a movie!

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- Jordan Dodd
  September 4, 2017
  
  Thanks!!
  
  And indeed he can mate. This is different from his last two as I said and perhaps lacks the punch they have, but the story is great and you can just tell that this guy is just gonna get better as a director, and quickly.
  
  Renner is GREAT bro, and I’m not really a fan. But he kills it. I have a feeling you’d dig it.
  
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- Jordan Dodd
  September 4, 2017
  
  BTW, I am trying to spread the word. I am gonna bring back shitfest @ IPC, or at least do my best to do so. I’ve already gotten started and have even written a theme song hehe
  
  TELL EVERYONE!!!! =P
  
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Kieran McLean
September 14, 2017

Just saw this today and loved it. Sheridan made a great debut as a director and Jeremy Renner kicked ass! This was an awesome review, please check out my thoughts (https://nerd-feed.com/2017/09/13/movie-review-wind-river/) and let me know what you think.

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sati
September 16, 2017

I’m really looking forward to this one, I really liked Sicario and straight up loved Hell or High Water. Cave and Ellis also always make the film they are scoring worth seeing just to witness how their music accompanies the film

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- Jordan Dodd
  October 2, 2017
  
  Hell yes! The music is amazing in this one, its not as good as Sicario or HOHW but its amned close!
  
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  - sati
    October 22, 2017
    
    Yeah not as good as either of those,but one of the better movies of the year for sure
    
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John Charet
October 8, 2017

Great review ☺ Speaking of Sicario, the director of that film (Denis Villeneuve) has just come out with Blade Runner 2049. You gonna see that? ☺ I know this blog entry is about Wind River, but the director and screenwriter of that film also wrote the screenplay for Villeneuve’s Sicario though you knew that already ☺ Anyway, keep up the great work as always ☺

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- Jordan Dodd
  October 15, 2017
  
  Thanks mate. Yeah, I was gonna see 2049 on the day it opened but we got there and the place was PACKED with kids – i think two kids films opened that day. I walked out instantly. I’ve now decided to wait and see it with my father on Friday 😀
  
  Goddamn I really need to write more, this post is so OLD!
  
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