Meek's Cutoff (2011, Kelly Reichardt)

There are many films which I've seen where the film ends and I have a "huh?" reaction. Then the next morning, I can't stop thinking about many elements of the film. I had this very experience with Meek's Cutoff.

It bares no resemblance to any of the John Wayne westerns we are all accustomed to, there's no action, no stunts no gun slinging of any kind. Yet it is quite an important western, however I see it more of an experience rather than a film.

I remember watching How the West was Won which was a big success when it came out and was even nominated for Best Picture (a big deal with westerns). It had some action scenes and it's fair of excitement but was on a whole empty and did not do a great job of showing us really how the west was won.

We see three families traveling through Oregon in 1845, where Indians are not the biggest threat. As a matter of fact, we don't get any threatening close ups of Indians with war paint.  The biggest threat here is the environment. Seeing these new Americans cross the empty states with nothing but a few wagons, a little bit of water and their dreams, all because of a few rumours of a promised land.

We have Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood who plays Stephen Meek, their guide, yet the couples begin to suspect that he has no idea where they're headed. Also a few of the main actors have their faces hidden. Meek for one is hidden behind his gigantic biblical beard and hat, and the women, mainly the main character Emily Tetherow (played by Michelle Williams) are hidden in their bonnets. Then we have an indian whom they pick up along the way. At first they wish to get rid of him but they are thirsty and desperate, and they use him to find water.

The mood of the people change as well as the film progresses, and as hope fades. Even the singing of a yellow bird fades away (a bird that is seen singing in the beginning of the film). Another thing that's different about this film is that it was shot in 1:1:13 (not widescreen) like the old (pre 1953) westerns. An excellent choice from director Kelly Reichardt.

To see what these people must have gone through is truly amazing. No one here is showing off, spinning their guns, or throwing great one liners, its one of the most honest (if not the most honest) depiction of a western.

Click here for the trailer

Rating: 3.5 / 4