Meek’s Cutoff

Release Date: April 8, 2011
Directed by: Kelly Reichardt
Screenplay by: Jonathan Raymond
Cast: Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Paul Dano, Will Patton, Zoe Kazan, Shirley Henderson, Neal Huff, Tammy Nelson, Rod Rondeaux

While most Western films tend to focus on their male characters, Kelly Reichardt took to a focus on the women of the time. With a slow pace and a focus on landscape and expressions, Meek’s Cutoff is a fine look at just how far minimalist filmmaking has progressed.

Meek’s Cutoff – which is loosely based on historical events – takes place in 1845 and begins by introducing us to a small group of characters going through the motions of life in the harsh Oregon desert. Although many Western films tend to have strong male protagonists, this one takes a focus on the women of the period, which makes for a refreshing and interesting film.

The film features three families who are slowly realizing how hopelessly lost they are. They have been led astray by their guide Stephen Meek (Greenwood) – who seems to be pushing them forward blindly, even though he frequently speaks of his past adventures and undertakings. The families consist of Emily Tetherow (Williams) and her husband Solomon (Patton), Millie and Thomas Gately (Kazan and Dano), and the White family (Henderson, Huff, and Nelson). There are multiple meetings between the men about the distrust of Meek throughout the families and the women stay behind, attempting to listen in while performing their usual tasks.

Soon enough Emily encounters an Indian and within a few days, her husband and Meek have captured the man. While Meek tries to spread fear of the Indian man, preaching stories of murder and betrayal, it is Emily who cuts off any authority Meek might have had and sees the mysterious Indian for what he really is: a tame and simple man who may be able to lead them to water. Although they are unable to communicate with him, only the longing for safety and water fuel the families now – pushing past the unease that Meek continuously attempts to impose on them.

The focus on the women of the time is best shown through Michelle Williams and her performance as Emily Tetherow. Even though the other women seem to fit the stereotype of a Western women, Williams shows us a woman hardened by her surroundings and situation. She can sit back and knit through the day, but when push comes to shove, she can hold a man at gunpoint with no remorse. Bruce Greenwood also does an excellent job as Stephen Meek. As his character leads the rest of the party astray, he reminds us that a foolish man may boast of his accomplishments as much as he pleases, but at the end of the day he remains a fool in the eyes of those surrounding him.

Although many may not find the film’s speed appealing, Reichardt’s slow-paced filmmaking works marvelously Jon Raymond’s minimal dialogue screenplay – truly dropping us into the time and place of these events. There isn’t much of a need for words in this film, letting the camera angles and the actors do all the story-telling. With Meek’s Cutoff, Kelly Reichardt really provides a realistic look into the experiences of these pioneers who traversed miles upon miles in hopes of a better life.

Rating: ★★★★¼ 

Juan Barquin

Just yer average twenty-something college student with no time on his hands who ends up watching (and writing) too many movies and shows for his own good.

2 Responses

  1. amy says:

    I was interested in watching this… but it’s the same director as Wendy and Lucy, right? xD I’m also not so big on western-types.

    • Juan Barquin says:

      @amy, Yeah, same director as Wendy and Lucy! I think, chances are, if you’re a big fan of slow pacing and W&L – you’ll enjoy it. If you’re not, you’ll be completely turned off by this one. And even though it’s technically a western, it doesn’t feel like one all that much except for the setting and costumes.

      I mean you should give it a shot once it’s out on DVD if you’re up for it, but you might not enjoy it. I know a lot of people at my art cinema didn’t care for it and I seemed to be one of the few who was really intrigued and wanted to talk to the screenwriter for hours xD

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.