Directed by Sean Penn
Expectations: High. I’ve really liked the other films of Penn’s that I’ve seen. How can you not be excited by that cast list too?
I don’t know the exact story of how Sean Penn came to be a director as well as a fantastic actor, but what it boils down to is this: the guy can make a movie. The Indian Runner is his first excursion into work behind the camera, and despite some minor flaws, it is a powerful and emotional film. Sean Penn heard the Bruce Springsteen song, Highway Patrolman (off the excellent acoustic album Nebraska), and was so moved by its story, that he wanted to write an entire film based upon it. The Indian Runner inexplicably does what it sets out to do and successfully translates the song into a film, expanding the narrative yet still remaining true to Springsteen’s two central characters, a pair of very different brothers.
Penn’s camera tells a patient, thought-provoking tale with stark images and his script completes the one-two punch with its true-to-life dialogue. The acting all around is excellent, and is especially good from Mortenson. His portrayal of Frank is probably the best performance I’ve seen from him. He completely inhabits the wild nature of the character and fully commits himself body and soul. Morse is the perfect flip side of the coin, playing the metered, soft-spoken patrolman. He always seems to play this type of character, but he always impresses.
There are many great scenes throughout that I’d love to write about and dissect at greater length, but I feel that not enough people have seen the film, and I’d hate to be a spoiler and ruin anyone’s viewing. I’ll leave it at this. The Indian Runner is filled with great performances, thoughtful camerawork and realistic characters. If you’ve ever been seriously frustrated with your family and you’re in the mood for some contemplation, try this out. It just might fit.