Meek's Cutoff
Common Sense says
- PG
- 2011
- 104 minutes
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this intelligent, poetic, lyrical Western is rated PG, its slow pace and unstructured nature aren't likely to appeal to kids. The film picks up and leaves off at seemingly random points, and it lacks anything like a traditional plot arc or story. But the language is minimal (including one use of the "N" word and one "son of a bitch"), as is the violence (the worst incident takes place off screen). Still, the movie is mostly about moods and ideas -- about searching but not necessarily finding. Even if kids are already cowboy fans, this is going to be a tough sell.
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What's the story?
In 1845, three families drive their wagon train toward California to settle and seek their fortunes. They have a hired guide, Meek (Bruce Greenwood), who tells a good story but sometimes doesn't seem to know where he's going. One of the women, Emily Tetherow (Michelle Williams), seems to be tougher, smarter, and more practical than anyone else, and her wisdom often points the way. As the story begins, the travelers gather fresh water at a creek, but their supplies begin to dwindle quickly. At one point, a lone Native American turns up; the cowboys capture him, hoping that he can lead them to water. But Meek insists that this is a trap that will lead to an attack. Will the thirsty travelers make it through?
Is it any good?
The movie gives thoughtful viewers plenty to ponder, and plenty of situations in the story have two right answers, but no definitive one. This is probably Reichardt's biggest movie, with her brightest cast yet, and she gets some fine performances with her intelligent dialogue. The scenery is exquisite, even as it's harsh. It's not the witty, violent, suspenseful Western that True Grit was, but it's a small, pointed poem and very much worth the trouble.
Kelly Reichardt is definitely a director focused on mood rather than plot. Her movie Old Joy (2006) was about two friends who go on a camping trip, while Wendy and Lucy (2008) was about a young woman searching for her lost dog. Both movies have many long stretches in which seemingly "nothing" happens, and that's also the case with MEEK'S CUTOFF. The travelers keep moving, and they keep searching for water, but the ultimate point of the movie isn't about finding water -- it's about the different sides of any story and how nothing is fixed or definite.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about what the movie's abrupt ending might mean. Does it matter that the major problem is left unsolved? Do you have hope that it will be solved soon, or never?
In the fight over the Native American, who is right?
Who do you think this movie is intended to appeal to? Does it succeed?
Is this Old West a violent place? Even if there's very little fighting or blood, is there violence in the movie?
Movie details
- In theaters: April 8, 2011
- On DVD or streaming: September 12, 2011
- Cast: Bruce Greenwood, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano
- Director: Kelly Reichardt
- Studio: Oscilloscope Pictures
- Genre: Western
- Topics: History
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some mild violent content, brief language and smoking
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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