Michael's Movie Grade: A+
Review: A startling real and powerful depiction of what happens when a 16 year old boy has to take care of himself.
This is not always an easy movie to watch. In fact much of painful. This is especially true if you are a horse lover (like me) or if you have ever felt the loneliness that Charlie feels here. The world around him is cruel and cold. This is fully emphasized by how quiet this film often is and how many scenes are held longer than you would see them in a mainstream movie. There is always a feeling that after each scene Charlie is still alone in the world. This also makes his relationship with Pete all the more touching. To see him form such a meaningful connection is powerful.
I will not reveal where the story goes, but it kept me constantly surprised and brought out powerful emotions in me. The film also never sacrifices reality for the sake of sentimentality. Every moment in this film feels real. Sometimes this even goes to the point where what you are seeing on screen is hard to take. You don't always know how to react to what is on screen but it always feel genuine and never lets go of your emotions. Part of this is how real the main character is and how cold the world around him is.
This is not a happy movie by any means, but it is a movie that certainly will take hold of your emotions and never let go. There is little doubt in my mind that British Andrew Haigh's first American film is an extremely powerful triumph.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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