Film Review: "Little Woods" (2018).

BGN Film called it "A stunning piece of cinematic artwork." This is Little Woods. This American-Australian crime thriller western film written and directed by Nia DaCosta, in her directorial debut. In North Dakota, two estranged sisters are driven to extremes when their mother dies, leaving them with one week to pay back her mortgage.

In January 2017, it was announced Tessa Thompson, Lily James, Luke Kirby, James Badge Dale and Lance Reddick joined the cast of the film, to be directed by DaCosta directing from her own screenplay, under the then working title Crossing the Line. The story was initially conceived as a modern retelling of Othello.

The film stars Thompson, James, Kirby, Badge Dale and Reddick. Thanks to the performances of Thompson and James, who steal your heart with their stubbornness and blunt comment, they enhance the moments of tension and drama in the story. Thompson and James have undeniable charisma anchors the film. Each of their performances contains several layers of depth. A range of fine performances, from the rest of the cast, elevate the film and are on fine form, and worth watching.

A strong yet enjoyable debut effort from DaCosta, Little Woods stubbornly retains its footing despite a few missteps on its occasionally unpredictable path. This soulful and deeply satisfying film—a fitting directorial debut, if ever there was one - makes a compelling argument that change is always possible, and that the path we're on is always more vast than we would like to think it is. It avoids any concession to cheap sentimentality, despite the fact that the story has many dramatic ingredients. Watching this movie is like checking the news after popping a Xanax. The world's going to hell in a handcart. But it's all good. It's a winningly soft-hearted tale of a hard-hearted world, though, and one that never takes itself too seriously. I think that there's a sweetness to some of the film. There is a certain self-criticism built into the role as it goes along. The film thrives in teasing ambiguity. Years from now, DaCosta will be one of the great interrogators of American social mores. DaCosta's minimalist direction keeps everything moving, but he seems thoroughly interested in the wider moral implications of his protagonist's actions. This movie is as much a document for a country that DaCosta sees as slowly crumbling as it is for the life Ollie and Deb did not choose to lead. The film is a sentimental look at unsuspecting criminals, driven by DaCosta's solid direction and Thompson and James' performances. The film is both surprisingly watchable and touchingly good, with DaCosta, Thompson and James on impressive forms, both behind and in front of the camera. Despite a few hiccups in the puttering pacing, the film is perfectly and gallops quite gracefully. But it's never going to get the blood racing. The film is complex in places but it's still a likeable crowd pleaser that showcases a great true story.

Simon says Little Woods receives: