Sundance '13 Review: AIN'T THEM BODIES SAINTS
Ain't Them Bodies Saints
Director: David Lowery
Screenwriter: David Lowery
Cast: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Nate Parker, and Keith Carradine.
Official Synopsis: Bob Muldoon and Ruth Guthrie, an impassioned young outlaw couple on an extended crime spree, are finally apprehended by lawmen after a shootout in the Texas hills. Although Ruth wounds a local officer, Bob takes the blame. But four years later, Bob escapes from prison and sets out to find Ruth and their daughter, born during his incarceration.
The beautiful, irreconcilable dilemma of the story is that Ruth—compelled by the responsibilities of motherhood and her evolving relationship with the deputy she shot—remains haunted by her intense feelings for Bob. Each of them longs for some form of peace. Ironically, it’s Bob, the unrepentant criminal trapped in the romantic image of a bygone past, who is driven by an almost righteous sense of clarity.
Performances:
The main reason I wanted to see the movie was because of the cast. I've always said that Casey Affleck is a better actor than his older brother Ben, and he once again proves how good of an actor he is. Then there's Rooney Mara. This is her first film since The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and she gives a tremendous performance. Then there's Ben Foster who's always great in the film's he's in. It was the fantastic acting in the film that actually helped hold my interest in the film; they anchor the film.
Story and Direction:
This was a solidly well-made film, but it's one that not everyone is will enjoy. It's a very slow moving poetic kind of love story that follows the story of an outlaw couple, Bob and Ruth. The movie starts off with the end of the criminals' run, and the beginning of living life apart with hopes of one day reuniting with each other. Of course, since Bob is a criminal on the run things don't go as smoothly as he would have hoped. The movie was interesting enough for me to keep watching it through the end. It’s a heartbreaking portrayal of a family split apart. As many of you already know I'm a big fan of westerns, and that's basically what this movie is. It's just not set in the old west.
I don't really have any complaints about the film, The direction of the actors was great, and the cinematography is beautiful. I just know that not everyone is going to like this kind of movie. It's a great piece of movie art, but it's not going to be a huge hit.
Similar To:
The movie has similarities with other film such as Badlands and Bonnie and Clyde, only it's not as fun or entertaining as those. I know I'm not really selling you on seeing the film here, I just want to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into when you see it.
Chances That You'll See It in Theaters:
This will most likely get a very limited release, but it doesn't matter. It's a film that you don't need to see on the big screen. This is one of those movies you can watch on a lazy day on Netflix.