Steve Skafte
I wasn't looking when I found "Off the Map". It was the afternoon following a major power outage, and I was headed to Chicago to visit my love only a few short days later. I'd gotten the DVD from my local library, and was debating whether or not to watch it before it had to be returned the following day. I can't express how glad I am that I took the time when I did.Like many of my favorite films, a young person is at the center of things. Bo (played by Valentina de Angelis) is tied up in all the ideas and possibilities of growing up, lost into her own world where few people live, and none anywhere close to her own age. This is a film fully populated with great actors giving wonderful performances. I loved Joan Allen, Sam Elliott, J.K. Simmons, and Jim True-Frost for the humanity they get across here. How they interact is unpredictable and constantly believable. The director (Campbell Scott) gives them a ton of breathing room. The scene where Joan Allen's character stands naked in the garden staring down a coyote happens seemingly outside of time, a triangle between her, the animal, and the arrival of a stranger who is shocked to find her in this state. This all happens in total silence until a bee sting ends the moment.It's small scenes of beauty like these, perfectly photographed by Juan Ruiz Anchía (who also shot "The Stone Boy"), that keeps the rhythm flowing, like large stones in a winding river pushing the film along. When "Off the Map" reached its end, I was in tears. Not because of a single sad thing that occurred, but for the final emotional release. I was set free in watching this. Lifted up and brought back to life. I owe this film all the beauty of one dark December day I'll never forget
napierslogs
The great thing about "Off the Map" is how beautifully it tells its simple story. It's about a family, mother (Joan Allen), father (Sam Elliott) and daughter named Bo who live completely by their own means, and well off the main road. Having not paid taxes on the little bit of money they make, an IRS agent (Jim True-Frost) comes to find them.It really is just a character study, primarily about the daughter as she watches the interactions of the adults around her and what she really wants out of life, and about the IRS agent who learns about himself by meeting these people who live their life in a way he never realized.It's an independent drama driven by a simple narrative and simple shots. The characters aren't all investigated as they probably should have been, and it does move very slowly. But for those who like sitting back and just observing characters, "Off the Map" is well done. I was particularly impressed by Jim True-Frost's performance, and the young Valentina De Angelis as Bo.
lastliberal
I used to go visit my parents when they lived in New Mexico. I'd time my visit to see the Balloon Festival. The colorful balloons dancing across the New Mexico sky is an apt metaphor for why this land is so special.The Grodan family (Bo (Valentina de Angelis), Arlene (Joan Allen) & Charley (Sam Elliott) lead a minimalist existence in this land. They grow their own food, hunt for small game, and live without TV or telephone. They make their own entertainment. Into this family William Gibbs (Jim True-Frost) walks in and his life becomes enchanted. He has been trying to find his way all his life and he begins to do so the moment he spots Arlene naked in the garden entranced with watching a wolf.The film featured an outstanding performance by Valentina de Angelis in her first film. It was a tender and thoughtful and, at times, a funny film.
ricecakegeisha
The writing was poetic, real, human. I have been recommending this movie to every lover of film and words that I know. There were sections of the script which sounded like poetry, and yet, retained a natural flow. I especially liked many of the scenes with the character George. The boat scene seemed a little over the top, but the filmmakers even pulled that off. Hopefully, Off the Map will rock the careers of some talented people and put them On the Map in terms of job opportunities and film viewers' expectations. I know I'm going to look up Joan Ackerman as soon as I complete this to see what her other writing credits include. If you're more concerned with characterization and meaningful dynamics between people than with yawn yawn action, see this film and listen closely.
AD
