Movie Review the Scent of Rain and Lightning

One of the films that had its premier at the 2017 Atlanta Film Festival right here in the Hollywood of the Southward is the drama The Aroma of Rain and Lightning based on a novel by Nancy Pickard. It is solid enjoyable fare with excellent characters and an intricate labyrinthine plot.

I honey stories of f****d up dynastic families out west. They put the "fun" in "dysfunctional." Blake Robbins brings us yet another tale of the far away mythical country of "out west" where cars are trucks, men are men, and sheep are nervous. For all its reliable archetypical characters this moving picture does takes unique twists and turns that make it worth the ride.

"…smart, abrupt, hard, well paced and well acted with a fresh approach to the genre."

The Linder family comes consummate with an authoritarian patriarch known only equally Senior (I know, I know, I was looking for Sis Wives likewise: they aren't here). At the outset Billy Coyle, the homo convicted of killing Jody Linder'south parents, is beingness released from prison house. Jody is a immature capable woman who picks up the threads of her parents murder when some questions are raised about whether Billy is guilty or was sent down as a scapegoat. Being a reprehensible piece of s**t, Baton is not missed. Few biting tears were shed when he went away and nobody peculiarly gives a s**t when he comes back either but it does mean the family unit feels dangerous with him walking effectually and in the course of circling upward the wagons some skeletons milkshake loose for a little Danse Macabre.

The Sundance Goggle box serial Rectified comes to listen equally this unfolds; there are some similarities in tone and plot. It also felt similar watching Fargo flavor 2 once again. That, by the way, is a sincere compliment and didn't stop me from being engrossed in the characters and their sordid bullshit. The large reveal is indeed a novel twist. However, past the end information technology's been telegraphed so emphatically that y'all will see something really "out there" that information technology would pretty much have to exist aliens implanting mind control chips via anal incest to really knock you back in your seat. I also have an OCD itch annoyance over a spoilery rebellion against formula that doesn't pay off as expected. Information technology's by design then I'll live with that and see if my opinion changes over fourth dimension. It might.

Still for all that snarky bitching let'southward have nothing away from what the picture show is: smart, precipitous, hard, well paced and well acted with a fresh arroyo to the genre. The drama plays out with steamy sexual practice scenes and crisp dialog. The weather plays a visceral function and the moody cinematography bears this out. Nighttime deeds accept place in shadows and lightning and that is beautifully done.

I enjoy Will Patton and though he does seem to play the same notation in every character, he'due south actually damn practiced at that notation and y'all know yous can relax and let him have that scene.

In the tradition of films with people who are emotionally unavailable Monday morning but on a hair trigger of animalism and rage the remainder of the time this picture performs admirably. This time the family unit secrets are unwound through a strong female protagonist every bit one of several interesting ways it explores former territory with fresh eyes. There'due south room for this story and more like information technology.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning (2017) Directed by Blake Robbins. Written By Nancy Pickard, Jeff Robison, Casey Twenter. Starring Maika Monroe, Justin Chatwin, Maggie Grace,Volition Patton.

vii out of 10

mattesonreaps1941.blogspot.com

Source: https://filmthreat.com/reviews/the-scent-of-rain-and-lightning/

Share this post