When we think of Robin Wright, we think of that perfectly coifed blonde head of hair styled in a ‘bob.’ We think of powerful films like Wonder Woman, Blade Runner and most certainly House of Cards where Claire Underwood click clacks the White House hallways in 6-inch stilettos. But in this, Wright shows a softer side. As if Jenny from Forrest Gump has grown up and gone sad.
In Land, directed and starring Robin Wright as Edee, the film opens on Edee in a therapy session. Cut to her packing it all up and heading to the hills. Literally. The middle of nowhere, on top of a mountain where the evergreens meet the sky – God’s country – a place where she thinks she can lose not only her cell phone and car (for good) but hopefully lose too, the grief that tortures her. We don’t know why or who, but we know her life has had a tragedy. She’s lost someone or some ones.
There’s been success in these one-woman-conquering-the-wilderness films with broken souls. Wild was successful as was this year’s Nomadland, already nominated for a Golden Globe. Wright’s Land is beautifully directed especially when there’s no one to direct but yourself. That is until Miguel (Demian Bichir) shows up and saves her close to frost-bitten life. She had to go to the brink, practically to the other side, before she can feel again…before Edde might choose to live again.
So, this becomes a film about human kindness. About being there. To fish, hunt, or just chop wood. To believe in the sounds of the living again. Kindness is so often under estimated.
But since we don’t know why Edee’s there – though flashbacks lead us to believe she’s lost her child and husband – the film could be compared to real life Outback scenarios, where wayward kids are tossed into the wilderness with little more than a flashlight and a Bic lighter. To come to terms with nature, and what exists beyond the noise of this life.
Albeit, the sad part is when it comes to grief, we can only go so far. No trip to China, Australia or even the moon can change the circumstances. Even an escape to the ‘land’ won’t necessarily help, though the mind can always allow for hope. The same mind that created the pain can create the happiness, too. There is something to be suggested by deliberately inhabiting a new place, a new life – as in witness protection – to escape former realities.
The tragedy of this brilliant little movie is that in a time of COVID we won’t get the grand sensation of aloneness and silence when streaming the film from our sofas with family, pets and pauses. This is a film that should fill the space…watched slowly, not in haste…not fast-forwarded. But to lasso all of our senses as the panoramic and majestic mountains take over our souls.
When we finally do discover why this woman has cashed it all in, it truly reflects the reality of our society and the need for gun laws. ‘Nuf said. A brilliant small film about a very big reason.