Hey folks, Harry here with an early look at the Wes Bentley gold rush flick... THE CLAIM... We haven't seen much come out about this film, a trailer or two... their website had some killer daily updates on it during production... However... here's some real reaction
Hey Harry...long time reader and attendee to many a function, first time writer. Just saw The Claim, and hadn't seen any buzz in the site, so I thought you might be interested.
There are rare times when I come out of a good movie and I am sad. Such was the case this evening after I viewed The Claim.
The film is set in the small gold rush town of Kingdom Come in California's Sierra Nevada mountains in the late 1800's. Wes Bentley (American Beauty) plays Southern Pacific Railroad's lead engineer, who is tasked with surveying and mapping the route of the transcontinental railroad. Daniel Dillon, played by Peter Mullen (Trainspotting), the founder and beloved czar of the town has an obvious interest in having the railroad run through his beloved berg. Enter Nastassja Kinski and Sarah Polley (Go), as mother and daughter, to further deepen the interpersonal relationships, due to a Faustian contract made in desperation long ago. In the winter of 1867, Kingdom Come became a point of no return for all involved, and none of them would be the same.
Don't be fooled though. The establishment of the railroad, the politics and personalities surrounding it, and the challenges involved in surviving as America expanded to the west only serve as backdrop for the characters to thrive in. The real story is in the intricate weaving of these peoples lives to one another, painted against a wintry canvas of the Sierra's. From the beginning, the resilience and commitment of the early settlers is clear as they tried to carve a country out of the wilderness, and tried to carve a life out of the country.
The Claim is a slow, methodical treatment of these peoples lives and how they intersect. There isn't a lot of music, or action scenes, or jump cuts. What exists is a dissection of cause and effect; choices and consequences. Additionally, the cinematography was exceptional, but with this backdrop, that should be expected. Beautiful vistas abound, but also exceptional is how the camera captures the warmth inside. Not since Kubrick's Barry Lyndon have I seen such a masterful use of light to communicate mood.
This movie is an investment, but most good movies are. In a summer of cotton candy, this is one of the films that is worth seeing, but only if you are in the mood. So as I left, I was sad for two reasons. First, because I think there was some lost potential with The Claim. I was hoping to learn more about the challenges, processes, logistics of taking the railroad over the rocky mountains, and this movie doesn't deliver near enough of that. Second, I see the investment the filmmakers made in really telling the story here, and know that it isn't going to get the attention or audience it deserves. While most are going to go see The Animal or Dr. Dolittle 2, this and other meaningful movies are going to come and go, and that is sad.
Overall, using the MYRANTS Scale, if you are ready for the investment, I recommend:
International Flight
Commercial Television
Rental
Matinee Theater
---------->Full Price Theater
Theater and buy the DVD!
But then again, what do I know.
