This slow-paced but compelling and powerful tale is probably geared towards a certain audience, those having the patience to allow characters to develop and a story to unfold in its' own timing. The movie kept me absorbed and guessing till the end what the outcome would be. There's a strong sense of realism, fine cinematography, and first rate acting here.
As mentioned, the acting leads in the film are all top-notch. Set in 1864, in the woods of Virginia (although I read the movie was actually shot in Texas) as the Civil War raged, a young boy Will (Ashton Sanders) and his uncle Marcus (Keston John) have been forced, under penalty of death, to work for the vicious slave hunter Burrell (Bill Oberst Jr.).
Will and Marcus have been given the assignment of traveling North to find a man called Nate (Tishuan Scott), who is digging graves for the Union Army. They are told to use the ruse that Nate's brother is dying (although he's already passed) and that he's requested to see Nate one last time.
When they find Nate they convince him to travel back South, and a good part of the film will revolve around the perils and travails the men and the boy will face through the Virginia woods and swamps, as Civil War battles occur all around them.
To me, the heart of the movie is the bonding that occurs between Nate and Will, and the continual tension whether Will will let Nate know he's walking into a trap. It will all culminate in a haunting and shocking finale that stayed with me for quite a while.
I thought this was a fine effort from Chris Eska, who wrote and directed the movie. I would be interested in seeing any future efforts he comes up with.
As mentioned, the acting leads in the film are all top-notch. Set in 1864, in the woods of Virginia (although I read the movie was actually shot in Texas) as the Civil War raged, a young boy Will (Ashton Sanders) and his uncle Marcus (Keston John) have been forced, under penalty of death, to work for the vicious slave hunter Burrell (Bill Oberst Jr.).
Will and Marcus have been given the assignment of traveling North to find a man called Nate (Tishuan Scott), who is digging graves for the Union Army. They are told to use the ruse that Nate's brother is dying (although he's already passed) and that he's requested to see Nate one last time.
When they find Nate they convince him to travel back South, and a good part of the film will revolve around the perils and travails the men and the boy will face through the Virginia woods and swamps, as Civil War battles occur all around them.
To me, the heart of the movie is the bonding that occurs between Nate and Will, and the continual tension whether Will will let Nate know he's walking into a trap. It will all culminate in a haunting and shocking finale that stayed with me for quite a while.
I thought this was a fine effort from Chris Eska, who wrote and directed the movie. I would be interested in seeing any future efforts he comes up with.