To say that The Driftless Area is cryptic is an understatement. I’m still not quite sure what happened, but the characters are so complex and interwoven that even though you’re confused, you can’t wait to see what happens next.
After he returns home after college, Pierre (Anton Yelchin) meets and falls in love with Stella (Zooey Deschanel). He gets mixed up in some trouble with a criminal (John Hawkes) and circumstances unravel.
Along the way, we meet Pierre’s best friend, the always likeable and honest Alia Shawkat, Stella’s protector, Frank Langella, and the ever-entertaining Aubrey Plaza. I would consider this to be an ensemble cast because of how much they stand out, yet never overshadow.
Based on a book of the same name, the author, Tom Drury, also co-wrote the screenplay with director, Zachary Sluser. The beautiful landscapes and minimal score provide a calm ride into the lives of each character. Rather than painting as heroes or villains, all have humor and a grounding in reality that is usually just reserved for comedies.
Anyone interested in the fate versus free-will conversation will love this surreal journey.
One screening left this Saturday!
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