JEANNE’S REVIEW

How far would you go to save your young daughter? This is the premise of Padraic McKinley’s directorial debut, THE WEIGHT. Written by Matthew Booi and Shelby Gaines, this depression-era drama set in 1933 stars Ethan Hawke as single father Samuel Murphy, who is separated from his little girl, Penny (Avy Berry).

Following a preventable misunderstanding, Murphy is sent to a heinous work camp set deep in the mountains of Oregon. The diabolical warden, Clancy (Russell Crowe), sees that Murphy is clever and a hard worker who keeps his nose down. He learns from Murphy that he has a daughter whom he must save from adoption in less than six months. But the length of his prison term will prevent him from achieving that goal.

Clancy devises a plan that will benefit them both. There is gold in a nearby mine that Clancy wants stolen. If Murphy, along with three others from the prison, can steal the gold and survive a treacherous weeklong journey over deadly terrain and deliver it intact, all four can go free. Murphy immediately accepts Clancy’s proposal because Penny is all he has left in the world.

Murphy is a plum role for Hawke, who earlier this year was nominated for his fifth Oscar as the legendary Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart. He is a superb actor who honors every role with an outstanding performance. And here as Murphy he is quietly effective as a steadfast man only concerned about the safety and welfare of his sweet little girl. But when necessary, Murphy is ready to act.

It’s difficult after watching THE WEIGHT to imagine anyone else other than Crowe playing Clancy. He’s perfect as the scheming, nefarious warden whose greed could get everyone involved killed. Crowe possesses that innate ability which allows him to be charming when he’s at his most villainous. He and Hawke are terrific in their short time together on screen.

Filmed in a Bavarian forest in southeastern Germany, THE WEIGHT was an arduous experience for the cast and crew. The actors were literally carrying heavy packs as they navigated the rugged terrain. Plus the inclement weather provided additional challenges, all of this captured by Italian cinematographer Matteo Cocco working with German production designer Cora Pratz.

THE WEIGHT is an intense film punctuated by memorable performances, especially from Julia Jones, as Anna, an indigenous woman who is seeking freedom as well. As she follows this motley crew through the dark and unforgiving wilderness, she proves to be more worthy than a few of the men. Not surprising --- at all.

In theaters September 18

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!

DAVID’S REVIEW

Five-time Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke stars in a gritty thriller about a widowed father who must survive his unfair incarceration in a labor camp in order to be reunited with his young daughter. THE WEIGHT is director Padraic McKinley’s feature film debut after many years as an editor of film and television.

Samuel Murphy (Hawke) lives in the Oregon wilderness in 1933 as people are still dealing with the Great Depression of 1929. One day he is assaulted by three men, but Murphy fights them off and is subsequently arrested and put in prison. The script does not explain his unfair treatment, but the warden of the camp, J.J. Clancy (Oscar-winner Russell Crowe), promises Murphy and three other prisoners their freedom if they complete a special mission.

Meanwhile, Murphy’s young daughter, Penny (a totally adorable Avy Berry), becomes a ward of the state, and Murphy faces a time deadline before his daughter is put up for adoption. This is the ongoing dilemma that is foremost for the viewer --- will Murphy ever see Penny again? And secondly, can the cunning Clancy be trusted to keep his word and sign the papers that will free the four men?

Hawke’s portrayal of Murphy is of a man who is courageous, intelligent and moral. As a former mechanic, he gains Clancy’s good side by repairing his precious automobile. As a reward, Murphy and three fellow prisoners must transport a large stash of gold bullion bars, weighing 80 pounds for each man, through rough terrain which includes woods, raging waters and other obstacles. Clancy says the federal government, led by FDR, will otherwise confiscate the gold to shore up its struggling treasury and the U.S. economy where unemployment has reached a staggering 25 per cent.

THE WEIGHT is a compelling story because Murphy is such a likeable and heroic figure. It is impossible to not care about his quest. Crowe, of course, is the consummate actor in any role, and he is especially suspicious here as the warden. The supporting cast does a very capable job of transporting the viewer back to this desperate time in American history, including Julia Jones as Anna. She joins the men during their ordeal and proves to be quite valuable, including one gripping sequence where she rescues one of the men from a sure drowning in the icy cold river.

McKinley has taken the screenplay by Matthew Booi and Shelby Gaines and shaped it into a movie that is exciting and believable. A truly promising directorial debut, scene after scene is memorable. One in particular stands out. When the gold bars prove far too heavy for the foursome to cross the river on a dilapidated suspension bridge, Murphy solves the problem in a very unique way.

In theaters September 18

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!