Very Cool!!!

An Exercise In Nonsense

A Major Disappointment

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

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.

Not often does a film focus so strongly on the complexities of one character, especially without seeming contrived or over done. This film has a simple plot, and the dilemma the young boy Will faces is straightforward, but it is played so genuinely and movingly. We learn so little of his past and yet even within the first few minutes of the film you are standing in his shoes. At first unquestioningly accepting his tenuous grip on life as he is surrounded by death and desperation, soon this develops into a profound study of the price of freedom for those who apparently have none, and how relationships with others can give freedom a value greater than life itself. The end is not necessarily a surprise (after all, he can only choose one way or the other) but the point is really the journey he makes and the changes within him as he begins to understand and grapple with his choice. The character Nate was also compelling and believable. The film feels historically authentic and is more original than most others about the plight of slaves. For this reason I preferred it to 12 years a slave. My only criticism is that some of the dialogue is poorly recorded. Outstanding.

A young boy struggles with adult dilemma when he is put in a situation where he must choose between his survival and that of a stranger. He comes from and emotionally and physically barren world, treated like chattel, unloved. He accepts his lot because he sees no future for himself. While sent off by a bounty hunter to bring back a gullible freed slave, his sense of morality and kindness is stirred. Will the touch of human kindness by this stranger bring him redemption? No spoilers.I am surprised that this film has not received a wider audience. I picked it up on line.

This has to be the most beautiful movie I've seen in a long time. It's pitch perfect in almost every way.I saw this film at the 13th Phoenix Film Festival, where it received much deserved awards for directing and the ensemble acting, as well as being voted the audience favorite.D'JANGO UNCHAINED was about slavery, its brutality, the violence, the humiliation, and the nightmare. THE RETRIEVAL addresses slavery and allows it to be a thread to its story by neither shying away from it nor allowing it to overwhelm the narrative. It's about the bond between two characters and the sacrifices they make.Every character is rich and real. There's humor, tragedy, a riveting story and beautiful cinematography. This film deserves to be seen, and everyone connected to it deserves an opportunity to continue their work.