Robin Wright is a force of nature as an actor and her debut directing effort shows she has great potential here as well. While the story is rather thin and predictable, she beautifully captures the raw emotion of the character's journey and gives one hell of a performance. Also she takes advantage of her beautiful visual palette of the landscape she has set her film in.
Land is the story of loss and a woman creating her own life for better or worse. She may or may not be making healthy choices but that is her path to forge. And although the film lets her find some connection it remains steadfast in the idea that her path is not for anyone else to decide.
Wright is, as always, amazing to watch as a woman dealing with immeasurable grief. As a performer she puts it all out there. As a director she keeps it simple, straight forward, allowing us to just see the character. I don't mean that pejoratively at all, in fact the clarity of it adds to its power.
The script is rather mundane and predictable. She and Bachir have amazing chemistry and together they bring more on an energy to the story than it likely would have otherwise. Their singing of Tears For Fears is a joy amongst all the pain. But again Wright just keeps her story tight, not running over an hour and half, and that is likely for the best. There isn't a lot here but Wright manages to make what is there powerful enough.
Cause what works for Land is its simplicity, its beauty and this doesn't need to be stretched out of indulgent. She gives us just what we need. I have always loved watching her and now I want to see what else she will direct for us to watch.
Land
Starring: Robin Wright, Demian Bachir
Director: Robin Wright
Writers: Jesse Chatham, Erin Dignam
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