laurybrownsberger
Sucks. Love the scenery.
Movie is depressing, but lacks the other components to make it even into halfway decent movie otherwise. Don't recommend watching it.
Genivieve DeClare
This is one of those movies where people who do 'bad' things even for good reasons must be punished. In final denouement some will be moved but if you are like me you will just be annoyed at the clichéd predictability of it all. It really doesn't start out this way but as the story progresses the intent becomes clear, though we hang on, however vain the hope, that something good may develop. I suppose that's a positive. The director does keep us clinging to our wishful thinking, though we know deep down that our hearts must be broken in this version of the western kabuki play. There are some decent performances. Clare Bowen makes a valiant effort but her character was never fully believable for me. The others seemed like competent stock characters. The direction seemed to be amateurish at times and the numerous attempts to use lens flares and back-lighting 'creatively' I found irritating and distracting. Then there is the matter of a shotgun being able to drop a fast moving horse at a distance of 200 plus yards and other assorted improbabilities and inconsistencies. I hope the director gets another shot. I think with experience and some competent mentoring he may do some fine work.
jpp1023
I'm sad to see such ignorant criticism posted about this fine film. It is well crafted, well acted, well written and the cinematography is mesmerizing amidst the colors of the New Mexican desert. It is important to note that this is a literary minded drama with the right amount of action. It is not a shoot-em-up action film with Clint Eastwood type one liners. It reminds me of Greek Tragedy and I can't explain the details why without spoilers so just keep that in mind as you view and any reader of classics will clearly see these timeless themes and cautionary tales of morality inherent in the story line. I was impressed at the implied back stories which indicated the family's troubles existed prior to their current explosive dilemma. The story accomplishes so much meaning with spare details that become crystallized as the film concludes. This film deserves a much much higher rating so if you like it as much as I did please share a review that will help ensure people won't pass over this great Western Drama because of an unfair rating.
Lauren Kritzer
Dead Man's Burden was an incredible film and the end was enjoyably unexpected. Throughout the film, you focus on understanding each character and their motives. The scenery is beautiful as it takes place in a western "slow moving" deserted town but don't let the characters fool you - they are more deep, twisted, and intelligent than you think! After the movie finished, it was very easy to sit there and think back to all the 'signs'. I really want to see the movie again so I can watch the progression of how the characters became who they were. There are not many movies out there that put the focus on acting, plot and scenery. It seems movies have animations and various scenes that are very distracting and then they spoon feed you the story line - Dead Man's Burden did not do that and I enjoyed every minute of it.
AD
