Review of Night Moves (2014) by Jake A — 13 May 2015
Director Kelly Reichardt's latest film is strikingly photographed in the Pacific Northwest and hypnotic in its droney-rhythms (Reichardt is her own editor). Jesse Eisenberg's inhibited performance maintains the minimal approach -- we never really get inside his character, an eco-terrorist.
The same is true of Dakota Fanning's rich kid - what are her motives for taking part in the destruction of the dam? Organizer Peter Sarsgaard's role is a bit more defined and he helps to move the movie (and the other two) along into an almost thriller.
Moral questions abound and despite a few bum notes (would that person actually say/do that?) the film lays them out there for us to consider without much editorializing. In the end, this seems a movie about a place in space and time (at a certain point in the Earth's history and in a certain geographical and cultural location).
Reichardt charts things well but the plot seems almost beside the point and the glorious cinematography, artful shots and intriguing directorial decisions captivated me more.
This review of Night Moves (2014) was written by Jake A on 13 May 2015.
Night Moves has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
