Rating of
3.5/4
The Land Of You're On Your Own
MovieMike - wrote on 03/27/18
I was unfamiliar with this title when I came across this selection on Netflix. While I'm a fan of Jeremy Renner ('Hurt Locker' is a must-see), I've not seen any films with Elizabeth Olsen that I really enjoyed. Having Graham Greene in the cast didn't hurt either. The other huge cast member was the location. Wyoming never looked so beautiful or so foreboding. Taylor Sheridan does an excellent job of laying out a murder mystery and keeping the audience on edge right through to the closing scenes.
'Wind River' reminded me of 'Winter's Bone', 'Frozen River', and a bit of 'Insomnia'. Given my previous impressions of Ms Olsen, I have to say I was surprised by her character, Jane Banner, an inexperienced FBI field agent. She immediately displays a strong sense of duty, but also demonstrates just how unprepared she is for what she is about to become immersed into. Jeremy Renner is Corey Lambert, a Fish & Game Officer who is very good at his job, but is carrying some heavy emotional baggage. Along with Graham Greene, as the local Indian Police Chief, they work to unearth details of a young woman's death out in a remote area. Greene's line in the film, "This isn't the land of waiting for back up. This is the land of you're on your own." pretty much sums up the situation that these characters are dealing with. This all may sound cliche, it is definitely anything but. Along with the great script and direction, the cinematography and music score make this an engrossing and satisfying experience.
