I have a lot of thoughts on this film, but I don't have an easy one-sentence summary.
I just want to start off by saying that I absolutely hate all of the members of the Cash family, but I don't think that's what the writer/director of the film wanted me to feel. From the tone of the film, I get the idea that this guy is meant to be doing his best and that these children, although stunted, still have actual skills that are redeemable. And although he chooses to give them a "more normal life" in the end, there are pros and cons to both.
In real life, I've met a family kind of similar to this where the parents have strong beliefs and are kind of hippies, but more right-wing than left-wing, as these people are. The kids are also homeschooled, and they are some of the least enjoyable people to be around that I have ever met. I see that in the characters of this film too, so expecting us to have any sympathy towards the main characters is such a far stretch.
I could go on about this more, about how there is a reason why the vast majority of people continue to integrate with society, and all of my opinions on that, the human spirit, human communities, and why it's simply so much better than isolation. But I'm not going to. Although that's a big problem with the film, my larger problem is that the film is just kind of unwatchable in general due to the unlikability of this entire family.
The whole plot of the film is so predictable too, that it just kind of makes me feel, I don't know, not valued as a viewer, or just frustrated and bored to death. Maybe at the end of it all, that's a good thing. I suppose at least I felt something, but I watched this on a Thursday night just wanting a nice, chill evening to watch a fun movie, and I did not get that experience. I don't understand how people can enjoy this film. There are so many other problems I have with it that I can't even begin to get into. From the reddit-like exploration of left wing political beliefs to the very stereotypical indie filming techniques, shots, writing, grading, and everything, to the fact that the film is also a little too long when trying to tell its story.
So I guess I'll end the review by saying, don't watch this. It's not worth your time. Go do your taxes instead.
I have a lot of thoughts on this film, but I don't have an easy one-sentence summary.
I just want to start off by saying that I absolutely hate all of the members of the Cash family, but I don't think that's what the writer/director of the film wanted me to feel. From the tone of the film, I get the idea that this guy is meant to be doing his best and that these children, although stunted, still have actual skills that are redeemable. And although he chooses to give them a "more normal life" in the end, there are pros and cons to both.
In real life, I've met a family kind of similar to this where the parents have strong beliefs and are kind of hippies, but more right-wing than left-wing, as these people are. The kids are also homeschooled, and they are some of the least enjoyable people to be around that I have ever met. I see that in the characters of this film too, so expecting us to have any sympathy towards the main characters is such a far stretch.
I could go on about this more, about how there is a reason why the vast majority of people continue to integrate with society, and all of my opinions on that, the human spirit, human communities, and why it's simply so much better than isolation. But I'm not going to. Although that's a big problem with the film, my larger problem is that the film is just kind of unwatchable in general due to the unlikability of this entire family.
The whole plot of the film is so predictable too, that it just kind of makes me feel, I don't know, not valued as a viewer, or just frustrated and bored to death. Maybe at the end of it all, that's a good thing. I suppose at least I felt something, but I watched this on a Thursday night just wanting a nice, chill evening to watch a fun movie, and I did not get that experience. I don't understand how people can enjoy this film. There are so many other problems I have with it that I can't even begin to get into. From the reddit-like exploration of left wing political beliefs to the very stereotypical indie filming techniques, shots, writing, grading, and everything, to the fact that the film is also a little too long when trying to tell its story.
So I guess I'll end the review by saying, don't watch this. It's not worth your time. Go do your taxes instead.
