not as good as all the hype

It is a performances centric movie

Charming and brutal

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Nothing to invest in, didn't care about anything or anyone I was watching. SO BORING.I gave it 2 stars because it's a nice looking film.

Based on the novel THE SCENT OF RAIN & LIGHTNING by Nancy Pickard. When a young woman learns her parents' killer has been released from jail, she is forced to revisit old wounds while discovering the destructive power of hate and the true cost of family secrets fully revealing themselves. With a good and well known Cast of people like Maggie Grace, Justin Chadwick, Mark Webber and Maika Monroe 'The Scent of Rain and Lightning' fails to capture the dramatic elements that it needs and the end result is an over dramatic and slow paced drama/wester that doesn't work both in terms of plot wise and acting wise plus some good actors get wasted in terrible roles like Grace and Monroe. (0/10)

This is a film for those audiences that actually take the time and have the patience to experience it, knowing that they will be rewarded. For those that don't, or want everything spoon-fed to them (like another review here), it will be confusing and unrewarding. I've seen it twice as of this writing (Oct 2017), and it was even better the second time around. Everything is spot on, the direction, cinematography, writing, sound, everything. Every role is superbly acted, especially by Maika Monore, Maggie Grace, and Mark Webber. I'm sure it's hard to adapt a novel covering 25 years with many characters' detailed lives into a 100 minute movie, and director Blake Robbins has done an awesome job. (Also, check out his first film "The Sublime and Beautiful".)

The Scent of Rain and Lightning made some interesting decisions: a non-linear story line, understated colors, and a list of characters that you both related to and suspected of murder. By the time the main character unravels the story of her parents' deaths, she realizes that no one is all good or bad, that people make mistakes and that some of those choices lead to dire consequences. This is no old-time western where the bad guy rides in with his black hat so you know who "done" it. The story unravels, going back and forth from past to present, keeping you engaged and guessing. I think this choice by the director was brilliant, and it keeps the audience in a semi-state of uncertainty--as soon as you think you've figured it out, guess again. I saw this movie with my husband, who normally likes easy and entertaining, but he found it as intriguing as I did, and I prefer movies that leave me with something to chew on afterwards. The casting had depth and allowed for the whole movie to work instead of revolving around a few major characters; it definitely felt like an ensemble. If you liked Hell or High Water, you'll like this film.