Walking Out

Walking Out, that's exactly what I would have done if I was watching this movie in a theater, walking out of the theater. This movie has not much good things going on. The story is full of faults, and is pretty boring. It's about hunters, and the only thing I hoped was that they would die in as much pain as possible, and as soon as possible. Not because I'm a vegetarian and because I think hunters are just a bunch of cowards, but because the acting was really bad. Josh Wiggins and Matt Bomer did a good job in bad acting and mimicking. It all looked so fake it almost became funny. And it's not the small appearance of Bill Pulman that could lift this movie to another level. I would just rate it with a four for the snowy landscapes, the rest is just bad. Don't waste your time on this one.

City boy David (Josh Wiggins) joins his estranged reclusive father Cal (Matt Bomer) in remote Montana for some hunting. There are flashbacks to a young Cal with his father Clyde (Bill Pullman) on a similar hunting trip. David is forced to abandon his phone in the isolated wilderness. An incident with a bear leaves them struggling in the middle of nowhere. The incident is problematic. David's stupidity colors the movie in a bad light. He can be clueless but he shouldn't be stupid. I was with the boy up to that point. It's unnecessary to have David be so dumb. Did he think that he's in a petting zoo? Otherwise, this is perfectly good survival in the woods movie. The father and son relationship has a good strained vibe although Matt Bomer is no classic woodsman. He's too pretty and needs a bigger beard to cover that face up.

Saw the trailer for this flick in the movie theater and had it on my radar to watch. Ended up taking this one on over a Thanksgiving dinner with friends on Vudu. Rreally enjoyed the movie as it pieced together the father and son relationship-which at first is awkward and slow, but the flashbacks with the father and the boys Grandfather really made it click once they were actually out in elements hunting. It helps you understand the awkward relationship between the father and son!! The scenery and cinematography is well worth the watch itself, but ended up being a good drama and adventure overall. Decent enough acting and really thought the film was held together by the over the top acting of Josh Wiggins, as I thought it was a great effort by the youngster. One I would recommend for any father and son who enjoy hunting and the outdoors together.

"Walking Out" is kind of a hard movie to judge, because while there are some really good things in it, there are also a number of problems that make it difficult to embrace the good stuff. Actually, what is positive about the movie can at the same time be a problem. I'll illustrate that by pointing out three specific parts of the movie: (1) The characters in the movie are hard to warm up to. The father character is kind of forceful, getting his son to go through an experience he doesn't really want to experience. The son is often kind of curt and disrespectful. On the other hand, these characters come across as more realistic than you usually get in a movie like this. They are flawed, but they are interesting to a degree. (2) It takes a VERY long time for the movie to set up the crisis in the movie. To be more exact, it takes about half of the running time, and before then many viewers will get very impatient. On the other hand, it does feel more realistic for the movie to (eventually) present the crisis after spending a lot of time showing routine and casual going-abouts for the characters. (3) After the crisis starts, what follows is a long, painful, and slow slog for the characters to try and get out of their situation. The viewer will feel the pain and anguish of the characters and be squirming in their seats. On the other hand, many crisis situations are long, painful and slow for the victims. It can be argued that this movie's treatment is more realistic. The movie is well acted and well made, so that is what has made me give this movie a marginal recommendation. Though I am recommending it, I should point out that this movie is not for everybody, nor is it for any viewing time. The movie is a matter of taste, and should be viewed under the right circumstances. You will have to judge if the movie will fit your circumstances.

The just-released "Walking Out" had me from the get-go. Having lived my entire life west of the Mississippi to varying degrees, I have a powerful appreciation and respect for the independent spirit of the region's people together with the indigenous wonder of the land. From its opening frame this is a chronicle presented amidst the breathtaking grandeur of the unforgiving Montana backcountry. As such, then, I was an instant sucker for what was to follow. It did not disappoint. Matt Bomer (TV's "White Collar") as Cal and Josh Wiggins ("Max") as David are father and son. They live miles, and worlds, apart. Their relationship is strained. The pair struggle to connect. Traipsing out into the snowy wilderness, Cal aims to teach his greenhorn teenage kid how a man properly tracks, hunts and kills a moose. But the plan winds up going awry. Horrifically so. And now they must struggle against nature and it's unpredictable threats to get out alive. Bomer and Wiggins are genuinely remarkable strictly in terms of the ferocious physical demands required of each. The fact that their acting performances are equally as notable is a bonus. With the great Bill Pullman appearing in a periodic but pivotal role, "Walking Out" steps up to a more than worthwhile watch. From a technical standpoint, Cinematographer Todd McMullen and Music Director Ernst Reijseger are particularly impressive. The images brought to us of the rugged "Big Sky Country" through McMullen's lens (especially the spectacular aerial views) are at once primal and magnificent. The majestic peaks, trees, rivers and streams captured on camera are all critical elements here. Reijseger's dazzling soundtrack is haunting, mesmerizing, a kind of modernistic mountain melody playing perfectly with the pictures. Bear in mind that you're gonna need to be patient with "Walking Out". Co-Writers/Directors/Producers Alex and Andrew J. Smith (twin British brothers as it happens) take us on a journey intended to unfold gradually, in unhurried layers, with generous investment in contemplation and reflection. This is thoughtful filmmaking. Meticulous effort is made to tell a complete story. A resonant narrative. A timeless tale. The ending will strike you. Pierce you. Stay with you. This is what the Smiths have built toward with every preceding scene. They have inspired us to care about these two characters. In so doing, they have richly earned the stirring emotion we feel during the final and deeply moving moments of "Walking Out".