Review of Off the Map (2003) by Katie C — 23 Aug 2005

[b]Off The Map[/b] is just out on DVD and is one of those quiet, subtle little movies that will probally escape most viewers attention. It's a small independent film set in rural New Mexico in the early 1970's and tells the story of the Groden family and the summer of the father's dibilitating depression. The family, who live virtually off the land with no utilities are visited by IRS agent William Gibbs who's come to audit them. Admittedly, a movie about a chronically depressed father (deftly played by film veteran Sam Elliott) a Mother described as a cynic and hellraiser who frequently gardens nude (the venerable Joan Allen) and their simple life hardly sounds like a compelling movie but this one delivers. A lot has to do with new comer Valentina DeAngelis who portrays the 11 year old daughter, Bo. The story unfolds narrated by Bo as an adult (Amy Brenneman - Judging Amy) and a beautiful segue as the scene fades from the older Bo in her urban apartment to the young Bo riding in a pick-up with her family. Growing up in this wild, remote area, learning how to fish & hunt and make her own entertainment has given Bo a wordly, if not skewed take on life. DeAngelis' performace helps to drive the movie, despite some less than stellar dialogue or uncharacteristic lines from an 11 year old. I was surprised to see praise of her performance omitted in other reviews and in the Sundance channels 'anatomy of a scene.' Bo is precocious, scheming, independent and full of life. Valentina brings her to life and is bound to be this decades Natalie Portman. While Mom teaches convicts to read, Bo interrogates them for details of their heinous past. She has mastered the art of polite but effective complaint letters that result in cartons of everything from free moon pies to candy bars delivered.

When agent Gibbs arrives, he's seen as a sort of knight in shining 3 piece suit by the girl. Bo fantasizes about a world of credit cards, bank accounts and business transactions she's conjured from reading discarded issues of Forbes (which she recites from to chickens) and Wall Street journals found at the local dump. "We only take the good stuff" Bo is quick to point out when the subject comes up. Home schooled, she's attracted to a world that's the opposite of the one she's in and one the agent would like nothing better than to get out of. She's admires his tie, his briefcase and gas credit cards that promise road trips to somewhere new and exciting. He's been sent to audit this family that makes less than 5 thousand a year. Soon after arriving and seeing Joan Allen's character nude in the garden, he's stung by a bee. He's laid out with fever for a few days and then reborn to the beauty and simplicity around him. A metamorphis of sorts; he discovers hidden artistic talent, becomes a world class artist (only after declaring his undying love for Mrs Groden who nursed him back) and he denounces the IRS. J.K. Simmons plays best friend, George who has trouble dealing with his friend Charley's depression and resists Mrs Groden's efforts to get him to see a psychologist and fake depression so as to get a subscription for antidepressants which Charley opposes. He does go so far as to see a shrink which ignites his non-existent love life. The arrival of agent William Gibbs (and his own supply of presciption anti-depressants) seems to act as a catalyst for those around him. George is also Bo's godfather and fills in the gaps left by Charley by taking her fishing and acting as a sounding board for Bo's philosophical musings. George is clueless to her questions about banking, social security numbers and other queries that leads to the 11 year old getting a credit card on which she charges a sailboat delivered from San Diego in time for her Father's birthday.

The screenplay was written by Joan Ackerman from her play of the same name. At times the dialogue is a little stiff and wordy, not quite natural for the character in this settings. I attribute this to the films origin in theater where words rule and snappy repartee has a premium. Directed by Campbell Scott, a name more familar as an actor (Exorcism of Emily Rose), Off the Map works on many levels. The beauty of New Mexico offers a visual retreat while the story about an offbeat group of characters living a simple life can be an emotional escape but at the same time spiritually rejuvinating. The score by composer Gary DeMichele is earthy and funky and moves the story along. Cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchia balances the outward radiance of the films setting with the shadowy interior where the Father resides in his depressed state. If you're not for films described by words like offbeat, simple, poignant and real then you'll probally not appreciate this little piece of art. But it is worth a look, at least for a first glimpse of what could be a rising star, Valentina DeAngelis and a new director with something to offer. It's not an action-thriller filled with effects but with moments. No one gets shot (other than a dinner-bound squirrel), no cars blow up (though one gets stripped) and no one is held hostage at knife point by ruthless serial killers. And yet this film is entertaining. Go figure.