Redwood Highway

Last week’s review was about a film set in the Pacific Northwest. Redwood Highway, a film I watched on Amazon Prime recently, also takes place in that beautiful part of the U.S.

Marie Vaughn (Shirley Knight) is an independent “older” woman living in a retirement community in southern Oregon. She is headstrong, likes to walk, and has a sometimes difficult relationship with her son Michael (James Le Gros) and granddaughter Naomi (Zena Grey). Impulsively, Marie decides to walk 80 miles to the Oregon coast near Brookings to attend Naomi’s wedding. Redwood Highway is about her journey on foot to the coast. The film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements including a scene of menace.

I loved seeing the scenery of the forested land as she walked along the highway (not always facing traffic like all walkers should!), and the animals and people she encounters along the way. Some, like Pete (Tom Skerritt) and Stacia (Michelle Lombardo), are meant to be in her life, and give her tangible and intangible gifts she needs for her journey.

We are treated to flashbacks of Marie’s life as she remembers her past. In this way, we are drawn closer to the truth of who Marie is and why she became who she is, as every step takes her closer to the sea and her granddaughter’s wedding.

I recommend this film if you just want a mostly gentle story about a woman, her family and journeys on foot. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’ll know that films about hiking and walking are some of my favorites, and this is a winner. 

Did you see Redwood Highway? Did you like the film? What did you appreciate the most about it?

Redwood Highway - Official Trailer

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is a realistic look into the life of a veteran with PTSD, and how he manages his life providing for his teenage daughter. The film is rated PG for thematic material throughout. 

Will (Ben Foster) and his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) are living on public land, survivalist style, and have to keep their location secret from the Portland, Oregon authorities. Tom is an intelligent girl, and essentially home schooled. Her mother is not in the picture. 

Their camp is discovered and social services becomes involved. The home they are given to live in is not like the forest where Will feels most comfortable. He attempts to adjust, and Tom is learning to socialize with other teens and doing well in school, but the inevitable happens and Will just needs to move on.

They take off together into the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, and it becomes very hard for them. Cold and little shelter are threatening their very lives. Will injures himself, and fortunately Tom is able to find someone to help them. A voluntary community of like minded folks living in trailers in the woods are understanding of the father and daughter and their needs.

Will they find a way to live in the world in the way that society expects? Can Will overcome his PTSD in order to provide for Tom as she gets older and her needs change? I found this film compelling and fascinating, and recommend it highly.

Did you see Leave No Trace? What did you think of it? 

LEAVE NO TRACE - Official Trailer

The White Crow

Being the ballet fan that I am, I eagerly trotted to the theater to see The White Crow, a film about Rudolf Nureyev. He famously defected from the Soviet Union while in Paris, and this film had that time of his life front and center.

Rudolf (Oleg Ivenko) lives to dance. From an early age, he showed an aptitude for the graceful art of movement and after many years of study, most famously under Alexander Pushkin (Ralph Fiennes), he embarks on a tour in 1961 with the Kirov Ballet, closely chaperoned by Soviet agents.

We get to see Nureyev in all the complexity of who he was, his charms attracting both men and women to desire him. Clara Saint (Adèle Exarchopolos) becomes a devoted friend, and a helping hand when Nureyev is considering whether to defect. The Soviet agents are conniving and relentless in their manipulations of Nureyev, and really with all the dancers.

Directed by Ralph Fiennes, the film is rated R for some sexuality, graphic nudity, and language. It was heavy on the dance, much to my pleasure. If you are someone not that enamored of ballet, you might not enjoy the film as much. I thought it was excellent. 

At this same time, a documentary about the famous dancer hit the art cinema. I would like to see this film simply titled Nureyev to see if it sheds even more light on the White Crow, the very gifted Rudolf Nureyev.

Did you see The White Crow? Do you enjoy ballet, and did you think the film lived up to the high standards Nureyev achieved?

THE WHITE CROW - Official Trailer

Ocean's 8

In keeping with the extravagant wealth theme that began last week with Crazy Rich Asians, I move on to Ocean’s 8. The fashion and high society element makes this fourth “Ocean’s” film more for a girls night out, and that’s great for me. I’m sick and bored with films of battles and men killing each other. More power to the women!

I enjoyed the previous three Steven Soderbergh directed “Ocean’s” films. I also saw the original Ocean’s 11 (1960) that inspired the remakes. They are a few of my favorite films. Ocean’s 8 leaves the male cast behind and introduces us to female characters in an all-star cast. It is rated PG-13 for language, drug use and some suggestive content.

Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) is the sister of Danny Ocean (George Clooney). She has been serving time, and thus has had many hours alone to plan a perfect heist with her girlfriends. It is not surprising that Danny and Debbie should be alike in their choice of occupation since sometimes a younger family member may choose to follow in her big brother’s footsteps.

Debbie has concocted a scheme to steal a very expensive Cartier necklace right off the neck of celebrity Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) while she is wearing it at the Met Gala. Each member of the crew Debbie assembles has their own specialty or strength that is required in order to pull off this heist.

I enjoyed Ocean’s 8. I’d watch it again, especially on a night I just want some good, clean fun. The sets and the cinematography are first rate, and it’s a pleasure to watch the heist unfold. The references to other “Ocean’s” films make it even more fun.

Did you see Ocean’s 8? What did you think of it? Which “Ocean’s” film is your favorite?

Ocean's 8 - Official 1st Trailer