#Review Into The Forest
Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood give moving performances as two young sisters left to their own devices to survive in what seems a newly post-apocalyptic world. The performances are especially important because character development takes center stage and steals the show. There’s heartbreak, a sad accident, stranger danger, surviving without a grocery store, lost love, and reflection.
The movie introduces Nell (Page) and Eva (Wood) and their father, Stan (Callum Keith Rennie) super dependent on the advanced technology in what looks like the not too distant future. A power outage across the western side of America takes place as everyone is using TVs, iPads, and some Star Trek looking tv-computer-phone-study-buddy combo thingy. While there is no action a la zombies or deadly disease outbreak, the apocalypse is more drawn out and less over the top as the girls never know what actually caused it or when it’s going to end. The real challenge comes when an accident with their father occurs, leaving them to fend for themselves. The “accident scene” is the most powerful performance of the film – making me actually cry. This is where the “action” starts. It’s not necessarily the traditional action you would expect, but the girls are thrust into dangerous situations that they are not used to being in.
With talent like this all director Patricia Rozema needs are Page and Wood’s bare bone performances as they explore the aftereffects of losing everything they have ever known since they were born while learning to survive independently.
The film explores the theme of how much humans are too dependent on technology as it continually advances and what the possibilities are of living without it. Nell and Eva seem to struggle without this technology and are at a loss of what to do without it once the power outage occurs. Eva just wants to hear music again to dance to and Nell needs it to study until her father points out that she has books to do that with. We also see how the girls adapt to life without technology and how to leave their past ambitions behind in order to survive whatever lays ahead of them.
The cinematography is beautiful. The house that Eva and Nell grew up in is surrounded by lush forest in mountainous terrain. It almost makes this so-called apocalypse worth it. The music and tone set the movie up for strong performances for which it depends on. The music adds strength to Page and Wood’s performances throughout the film.
It’s summertime! If you’re looking for a blockbuster with crazy action this isn’t the film, but if you’re looking for moving performances, a touching storyline, and in-depth character development this is your film. Its subtle storytelling works in its favour as opposed to against it.
Elevation Pictures release Into The Forest on Friday, June 3, 2016
