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Overall Rating : 7.5/10
Directed By : David Jacobson
Edward Norton (American History X)
Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen)
David Morse (Proof of Life)
Rory Culkin (Mean Creek)
Supplied By : THINKFilm
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Sept. 16, 2006
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| PLOT Tobe, is a teenager living in L.A. whose aimless existence is turned upside down by a chance encounter with Harlan Carruthers, a charismatic cowboy who seems as if he would be much more at home in Monument Valley than in the San Fernando Valley. Tobe is drawn to Harlan's poetic charm and romantic spirit and she embodies for him all the innocence and purity that is impossible to find on the mean streets of L.A. Despite the obvious difference in their ages and backgrounds, and the growing opposition of Tobe's father, Wade, the couple pursues their passionate, furtive romance until it becomes apparent that Tobe is unprepared for the intensity of Harlan's love. Then, things take a sudden, dangerous turn when Tobe discovers Harlan is not at all whom he appeared to be. |
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| THE REVIEW DOWN IN THE VALLEY, tells the compelling story of October(Tobe for short) whom is a lonely teen, whom is living with her kid brother, Lonnie and her father Wade in the San Fernando Valley. Tobe struggles to get along with Wade on a daily basis and sees her life as nothing but a boring mess, until one day she meet's Harlan - a charming cowboy that is seemingly twice her age. What young Tobe finds in the charismatic cowboy is both a lover and the father figure she has always longed for in Wade, and it's not long until the two embark in an under-aged love affair. It is also not long until Lonnie, the brother is reeled in by the same charm that Harlan uses to win over Tobe and the two become best of friends. Harlan, to the kids at least seem like a gentleman, and just someone that is genuine in general aspects, but to Wade he has always had suspicions about the strange. It is when Harlan takes Lonnie out the wide open to shoot a few guns without permission that Wade confronts him and warns him never to come around his daughter again, in which Tobe surprisingly agrees that taking Lonnie out was in poor taste, that a much darker side of the handsome cowboy begins to emerge to the surface. It is apparent that Harlan is quite delusional and that he thinks he is more "cowboy" than he really is (often all the sudden re-enacting western shoot-outs in his hotel room). With this brings a sense of urgency and increases his desire to be with young Tobe - so much so that he tries to get the young girl to run away with him, but when she refuses to leave with him he shoots her( appearing accidentally) which leaves her unconscious. Still having Lonnie wrapped around his finger, he pours on the charm...even so well that he has the naive young boy believing his very own father pulled the trigger - Harlan convinces Lonnie that he is only safe with him and virtually kidnaps him. Soon after, with the help of an investigator, Wade finds out that Harlan is in fact not whom he says and that he is a man with a different identity and an extensive medical history. Wade ultimately end up in the showdown of all showdowns in the end often one of the magnitude that Harlan only dreams about in his fantasies. Well first I must say, that I was not even slated to review DOWN IN VALLEY but I put in a special request for it. The reason being is that the trailer that was included on THE ZODIAC was so gripping and suspenseful that I just had to get this on the site. I am honestly sure glad I did, as this movie was quite different, but very moving. The type of story presented here is one that could very well and does happen every day. A young naive girl falls for a guy whom she thinks is "hot" but he is also twice her age and with her being under-age, of course the parent(s) will worry - I know I would. Well in DOWN IN THE VALLEY, it presents a reason as to WHY you should.....being young, the child will naturally believe that this new person that has come into their life is not too far from the fairy tale prince they read about in story books. For Tobe, she soon finds out that the nice guy that she happened to meet at a gas station, is far more complex beneath his cowboy hat and Wrangler jeans....he is not to shy from being a bona fide nutcase. David Jacobson the Director, and star Edward Norton, both combine their efforts to display the deterioration of one man's psych, in a very believable and realistic manner. Norton does a great job of pouring on, the acting presence that has gotten him so much praise over the years....Harlan goes from charming, to semi charming and so on progressively....I liked that it was not a sudden thing, it was actually more successful because we get to see the character virtually crumble before our eyes, than just have it handed to us from the get-go. For the psychiatric mess Harlan, there is a complete opposite in his young Girlfriend tobe, played superbly by Evan Rachel Wood. Let me tell you something, I love Evan and I always have, ever since her outstanding performance in the critically acclaimed film THIRTEEN. Evan Rachel Wood, no matter whom she plays or what film she's in, always brings a raw appeal to her character that brings to life a natural innocence....through out the film....you really want Tobe, to be accepted, because you truly get a feel for her emptiness and when you watch the betrayal unfold, you feel that much more sympathetic toward her. The overall acting is great to say the least Rory Culkin, whom has been seen in a lot of indies as of late. provides an acceptable performance as Lonnie, well also see David Morse, in what is in my opinion his most compassionate role to date, as a concerned father in Wade. Overall DOWN IN THE VALLEY is all that I expected it to be, it is well directed and written, with characters that are well crafted and acting that is well above the average rate. However, some parts of the film do tend to lag, and towards the end a few things become unclear, but these things do little to hinder the film's positive outcome. |
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| GORE
METER 3.5/10 Not all that bloody, but the killings are suspenseful and I believe that THE ZODIAC would not have been the film that it is if it had relied on an abundance of gore... |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 5/10 The score consists of a nice blend of country/ folk tunes and instrumentals, as well as occasional dramatic "thuds". Overall the score gives the film a rather peaceful vibe. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I really enjoyed DOWN IN THE VALLEY, as the story is rather solid, right along with the film's characters, do to top-notch performances, most importantly by stars, Edward Norton and Evan Rachel Wood. This film was a psychological drama with a twist, I would highly recommend this film! This DVD will be released on September 26, 2006 |
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