Good One
A college-bound girl goes on a hiking trip with her father and his old friend, but a vague sense of unease creeps in amid the forest in this indie drama reminiscent of Kelly Reichardt's style.
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Before going off to college, Sam and her father go hiking in the Catskills. They are joined by Matt, a friend of Sam’s father. The two men are middle-aged and divorced, constantly slagging each other off, whereas Sam is a sincere 17-year-old. When the three hikers stay the night at a motel, the two men immediately call the beds, while Sam is left sleeping on the floor.
This is the American director India Donaldson’s first film, and its controlled subtlety bears resemblance to the R&A favourite Kelly Reichardt’s slow minimalism. Even the landscapes are spot on. With great precision, Donaldson depicts those small moments of closeness and distance, sly remarks, and the men’s constant back-and-forth game about who has hiked where. Lilly Collias’ portrayal of a teen, who quietly processes everything she sees and hears, is phenomenal.
The slow-paced narrative and the naturalistic acting are set against a soft backdrop of forests and slopes, while a vague sense of discomfort makes its way into the story. Sam experiences moments of agency and connection during the hike, only to be reminded of where this sense of connection ends.
Kaisu Tervonen (translated by Charlotte Elo)
Trailer
