Director: Kelly Reichardt
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, Peter Saarsgard
Certificate: 15
Run Time: 112 minutes
Other films in the wheelhouse of eco-terrorism tend to stereotype characters as either anarchists or vegan-hippie types NIGHT MOVES skirts both of these and instead has three normal people, who live completely mundane lives, join together to take a stance. Refreshingly their act of blowing-up the dam isn’t glorified in any way; the response of their peers isn’t the adulation that they expect, but rather disdain and confusion.
Reichardt isn’t known for her plot-heavy films, preferring to tell her story through the visuals and sound; this is a tradition she continues here. NIGHT MOVES is almost hypnotic, the slow, drawn-out shots pulling you deep into the world of the three characters. The music, although sparse at the beginning, builds gently through the film, acting as a steady pulse which builds and builds up to the a crescendo. It ends with a head-scratching jolt that side-steps the Hollywood ending in a very open way.
Dakota Fanning continues her transition from child-actress to actress making another bold choice. Most young actresses her age who have starred in big films would be exceptionally wary of taking a role in a small independent film. Fanning though has always showed a lot of maturity in the choices she has made, and NIGHT MOVES is no different. Her character Dena is the spoilt princess who has a conscience, using her families money to fund the whole operation. She is truly captivating, especially when the plan deals with some unexpected developments.
Jesse Einsenberg goes into some very dark places in his portrayal as group leader, and points that he may be a very promising prospect for Lex Luthor after all. Peter Sarsgaard in underused, but brilliant, injecting some rare moments of humour into the first segment of the film which on the whole is serious in tone and nature.
NIGHT MOVES is a film that deals with some serious topics and issues, and takes itself very seriously whilst doing so. It allows the audience to expand their knowledge on the environmentalist perspective without trying to enforce their views onto people. It presents the audience with information and lets them decide for themselves which side of the coin they want to fall on.
Landscape lovers will be in heaven with the beauty and scale of Oregon becoming an extra character within itself. There are many vast scenery shots, showcasing the very best that the country has to offer, perfectly captured by cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt.
[usr=4] NIGHT MOVES is released on Blu-ray and DVD on 12th January.
