Night Moves

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🎙️ EPISODE 299: 01.13.2021 It's crazy to think that Kelly Reichardt's "worst movie" still grades a solid 9 outta 10 by my book. If this was her attempt to hit a more mainstream target audience (a dam is blown up in this one so, you know, mass explosions/violence = mainstream appeal, the classic American equation) then her subsequent two movies (an anthology where one of the stories centers around a woman buying dirt, and a film about a cow) seem like pretty clear signals that she DOES NOT GIVE A FUCK and we're all the better for it. And like I says, there's nothing wrong with Night Moves! It's an entirely excellent movie. As far as batting averages go, there are VERY few filmmakers with a higher average.

Themes. Other than the opinion that golf is the ruination of America, which I wholeheartedly agree with and support, this furthers a lot of themes from the previous movies. One thing that Reichardt has done over the course of her career is deftly explore the pain, the purpose, and the source of isolation and loneliness inherent in our modern culture. And never before have we seen a character as lost and as lonely as Jesse Eisenberg's in this. If all of the previous work could be distilled as character(s) X are frustrated by and ultimately fail in accomplishing task Y, then here we see the first 'success'. They do blow up the damn dam, although, of course, we don't see it–it's only 'on screen' as a dull boom in the distance. It's the aftermath of getting what you want that is the culprit is here. And what a terrifyingly bleak thought that is. (SPOLERS AHEAD)

As far as the characters' actions go, the film doesn't need to scream to let you know where it stands on the broader issues, nor does ever whisper "maybe eco-terrorism is good?" And it's not that the middle ground is gray either. What we've done to the earth is bad and blowing shit is also bad. What the film does is address the latter: does it matter what we do? Does the fact that we'll never see broad progress with our small acts negate them, discredit their meaning or intent? If I were to posit a complaint with the movie, it's that its final act blurs that very question. Perhaps making Eisenberg a killer is a stand-in for some bigger statement, but it felt slightly forced. Though, like Meek's, it leaves his fate open-ended... we know. Just like that caravan on the Oregon Trail, he's doomed. The only question remains: are we all?

Part of the... Ranking Kelly Reichardt Series – #7

CHRONOLOGICALLY
⫷ EPISODE 298A - (YOU ARE HERE) - EPISODE 300A ⫸

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