kat

This one hits hard. I’ve been rooting for Travis from the very beginning, and while a part of me feels he deserves better, his decision to walk away is what makes the ending so powerful. The ultimate proof of his growth is that he recognizes the damage he’s caused and chooses to break the cycle rather than risk more pain for his family. The wide shots of the desert and city lights are breathtaking, though I wished for a bit more variation in the score. A scene that will always stick with me is Travis suiting up to pick up Hunter from school. It reminded me so much of my grandfather, who used to pick me up from school in his Sunday best. I always assumed he did it for himself, but this film made me realize he might have been doing it for me too, so that I would be proud of him. I really am, and I miss him so much. Ultimately, a beautiful, devastating, complex character study.