Meek’s Cutoff (2010)
Meek’s Cutoff (USA) Directed by Kelly Reichardt Written by Jonathan Raymond Starring Michelle Williams; Paul Dano; Will Patton; Bruce Greenwood; Zoe Kazan; Neal Huff; Tommy Nelson; Rod Rondeaux
Based on a script from frequent collaborator Jonathan Raymond, Oregon native Kelly Reichardt’s fourth feature represents a departure of sorts, at least in the sense that it is a period piece - however, her austere, no nonsense aesthetic remains, making this a kind of foray into neo-realistic anti-Western territory. Based on actual events, the film tells the story of Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), a man who led a party of settlers in 1845 along the largely untraveled Oregon trail, through the cascade Mountains, with mixed success at best.
Reichardt re-teams with the superb Michelle Williams (as Emily Tetherow), and it is a testament to her and the rest of the small, impressive cast that they participated in a project with such limited dialogue, though the talented Reichardt is obviously the draw. The ensemble reportedly stayed in a hotel that was some two hours from set, and the seamless work of Shirley Henderson, Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Will Patton et al, bring a quiet, understated authenticity to the proceedings.
At two million dollars, this is big budget according to Reichardt’s standards, but the director always manages to use her lack of resources as a strength, concentrating on the human beings enmeshed in the struggles she depicts. Shown in a 4:3 aspect ratio, meaning the picture is nearly square, one is forced to concentrate on the small group, their wagons, and animals, as opposed to the panoramic wide-screen ratios of more traditionally composed westerns, employed to encompass the lovely vistas and sweeping plains of the American west.
As always, Reichardt and Raymond are intent on telling stories without neat packaging. The film plays out with Beckett-like minimalism, the repeated shots of the monotonous journey serving as kind of life metaphor. We open with the party knowing they are lost, and throughout the film the group’s choices are obfuscated by the unknown, every decision loaded with possible dire consequences and benefits. Though the ending was reportedly influenced by budget considerations, there is an aptness to a conclusion open to multiple interpretations.