tamarastefans I live in Oregon so I was interested in this movie. To bad it went on and on and never ended. It almost starts to go somewhere, it even heads in a direction, but much like the wagon train, it is hopelessly lost. This movie is terrible. It confirms why I never trust the critic's reviews on movies. Only film students and someone obsessed with wagon trains should be forced to watch this film

Rameshwar IN Reviewed May 2011It is as real as a movie can get but as boring too. It sets the tense mood and the look of the period perfectly and the discomfort the characters feel with their situation is easily connecting. In 1845, a group of settlers looking for a place sets out to cross the desert acquiring help from a Stephen Meek. Well into their journey, they realize they might be lost. Not too keen on confronting Mr. Meek, they play along the route he takes them. Once the water runs out and with no idea of the next source, the inherent character of each traveler starts to show. To add to the drama, they catch and hold a stalking Indian as a prisoner. Unsure of his intentions, the group is in a dilemma either to kill him or seek help from him. It starts quite leisurely setting the foundation for the rest of the movie. It glances through the routine of each person as well as introduces them. The pace hardly picks up as it move excruciatingly slow for the rest of the movie. Though it is intentional, it seems a content worth for 30 minutes is dragged to a feature length. Watch it only if you have nothing else better to do. The performances are decent from most and Michelle Williams characteristics reminds a bit of Evangeline Lily from Lost. You might find some interesting things along the way but they are very few and very far.

meritcoba "What a curious movie," Kristl said when the credits rolled."It was boring," Henry exclaimed waving his hands around in an agitated manner, "Nothing happens. A group of settlers travel through a desert landscape trying to find water and escape it. Eventually they capture an Indian who might know where they can find water. The movie ends abruptly as it started. With no introduction and no conclusion. Like you just get to see a part of a story.""Perhaps that is what they meant to show?""Well, they showed it in a boring way.""I liked the movie. Even though it starts and ends suddenly. A movie that takes its time. Not too much dialog. And there is something happening. The Indian and the guide Meek are opposites. Both offer the settlers a way out, but both can not be trusted to deliver. The Indian because he is considered a hostile and they can not understand him and the guide because he does not know what he is doing.""But it's not very exciting.""And there is this part in which you see the relation between the men and the women. When they are 'voting' the women have no vote apparently. I like the way it felt much more realistic than most westerns.""Okay, but regardless of that.. nothing much happens in the way of fighting or overcoming obstacles. Hell, there isn't even an proper end to the story," Henry said."Some movies can be interesting without fighting. I think that it is a neat movie. Very small cast. Mostly relying on the story, situation and acting. There isn't a real good person or bad person. Just believable humans in a bad situation who have to make decisions with little to go on.""I would rather see a more action kind of movie next. You can have good movies with action.""Uhm that is true, but sometimes it is nice to see a movie that is different.""Why?""Because maybe we can learn thing or two. Or broaden our horizons. Or feel human.""Perhaps some people find that nice. I rather have an action packed movie. Or a thriller. Or something exciting happening.""I like all kinds..""As far as I know you like all kinds of movies, but not many of them," Henry winked at Kristl.Kristl laughed."How many did you actually like.""Actually I can like a movie and be critical.""Really? How can that be. Like give an example.""Well, this movie I liked, but it is also a very slow movie and I feel like it misses something that would make it pop. Like something that grips you.""It lacks gun-toting kick ass girls with pigtails wearing short skirts," Henry grinned."Hmm.. maybe. Maybe what it lacks is that I never get attached to the characters. Not involved with them. While it is true it has only a very small cast.. the amount of characters is actually too high to get involved.""That is a contradiction…""Not at all. What I mean is this: normally a movie revolves in essence around one or two characters. While all the others are added in. In this movie none of the characters in the story has a leading part. And since everyone gets as much time as any other, there is not much time to get you involved with any one of them. Maybe a little bit with one of the woman. In fact, I can't recall their names, except for Meek's name.""You are right.. I can't recall their names.""So the movie feels like a distant movie observing a group of people traveling through a desert and that distance makes it hard to care," Kristl said, "So I like the movie and I am critical about it.""I am more simple. I don't like the movie. It is boring.""Okay. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.""I hope so..and just to wash away the taste of this rather boring movie, we have Doom next.""I do not play computer games, Henry.""I meant the movie.""Ah. alright. We can take a look at that one. If you want to.""Yes..And it has an actor in it called The Rock.""That sounds...impressive.""You bet."www.meritcoba.com

SnoopyStyle It's 1845 Oregon. Three families Tetherows (Michelle Williams, Will Patton), Gatelys (Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano), and Whites (Shirley Henderson, Neal Huff, Tommy Nelson) are led by the mountain man Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood) who claims to know a short cut across a high plain desert. They struggle as their water supplies dwindle. When the group captures an Indian, the group is torn about what to do with him.This is a slow pace movie with long uncut scenes. The style is minimalist. Kelly Reichardt is usually an indie director. That's what this is. It's nine actors and a crew out in the wilderness making a western indie. This is like a waking dream where we are waiting for something dire to happen. The acting is mostly reserved with a steady quiet tone. However I must object to the ending, and rate the movie lower because of it. It is not a proper ending.