Director: Kelly Reichardt
Writer: Jon Raymond, Kelly Reichardt
Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, Peter Sarsgaard
Runtime: 112 min
Rating: PG
When a director finds a style that works for them, they often stick to it, regardless of the subject matter with which they are working. Director Kelly Reichardt established her minimalist yet thorough style with acclaimed films such as Meek’s Cutoff and the much-beloved Wendy and Lucy. With her new film Night Moves, Reichardt maintains her slow pace but manages to generate tension and intrigue nonetheless.
Young actors Jesse Eisenberg and Dakota Fanning star as Josh and Dena, two individuals who appear to be earnest environmental activists but are quickly revealed to be closer to eco terrorists instead. Josh and Dena plan to blow up a local dam to draw attention to the energy that they believe is being wasted. However, they are unprepared to face the moral dilemmas with which they are presented after their act becomes more complicated than they initially anticipated and has wider implications than those for which they had hoped. Peter Sarsgaard also appears as Harmon, a fellow extremist who assists the pair in their endeavours.
Eisenberg and Fanning present very different characters in Josh and Dina, respectively. Josh is quiet and sensitive, often interacting with the natural world around him, yet the viewer receives the constant sense that something is not right with him. Dina, on the other hand, is far more personable and likable. The dialogue between the two, although sparse, sounds just like conversation between two awkward young adults, and it is easy to believe that these characters could be real people. The realization that these two nice, seemingly ordinary individuals are in fact closer to eco terrorists than well-meaning environmental activists creates a distinct sense of unease. It is difficult to acknowledge the ease with which seemingly “normal” people can be convinced to perform crazy acts. When Josh and Dina are faced with the moral dilemmas that come with the consequences of their actions, one may be torn between feelings of pity and those of justified righteousness.
Director Reichardt maintains her unhurried filming style while still creating a surprising amount of tension. Many scenes appear incomplete as they cut off at unexpected moments, removing any sense of polish and creating a piece that feels raw and real instead. Other scenes feature shots of the characters simply interacting with the world around them. Although each scene may not appear to further the plot of the film, Reichardt creates an atmosphere early in the film that she exploits as it progresses. For example, since the second half of the film depicts Josh attempting to deal with the ramifications of his extremist actions, early scenes of his sensitive interactions with wildlife are important, as they reveal his personality and foreshadow his eventual reactions.
This film features two protagonists who attain their goal, however, this achievement comes at a great and unexpected cost. Kelly Reichardt uses her characteristically minimalist style to depict this story in a slow yet thorough manner, allowing an audience to get to know her characters deeply before exposing them to complex moral dilemmas. A surprisingly tense and raw environmental thriller, Night Moves is an unsettling work of film, as it addresses the question of just how far someone may be willing to go to prove what they believe to be an essential point that will ultimately benefit society.
Photo Credits: Toronto International Film Festival
