I have waited nearly six months to watch this movie the second time and write this review. It had such a powerful effect on me six months ago, that I thought it to be a fluke of my memory, or a needed outlet to my fragile emotional state. Not so. The effect today was as powerful as the first time.

So what is it about this movie that makes me want to move back to New Mexico? The key is “move back”. This movie reminds me of all the reasons the 30 years in New Mexico went by so quickly in my life. As Arlene says in this movie, New Mexico is a powerful place.It can be overwhelming. This movie went by and grabbed a handful of that power and threw it on the screen.

It didn't hurt that this movie had an amazing though tiny cast, a coming of age story unlike many that you have heard before, superb directing and cinematography that almost flattens and extends the screen to show you the horizon and the limitless space above and below it.

I understand that this movie may not be for everyone, and the humor may be lost on some. People who have never fully realized that we are here on this earth to compliment rather than change it, won’t get it. People who believe you can only get close to God in a church will also miss the point, although I don’t believe religious epiphany was one of the subplots in the story. But with a little imagination, you can easily become any of the characters in this flick. Sometimes it takes but a tiny change in your perspective.

THE PLOT

Now that I have given all this praise, let me tell you something about the characters, and the story. It is amazing how much we learn about the characters with very little dialog, most of it from the point of view of a thirteen year old girl, who mostly talks to herself. Her perspective on her family and family friends is skewed with that adolescent bias we can only recognize in ourselves when we are much older and are past it. And interestingly, as the characters move forward in the course of six months or less, this perspective begins to change as the girl learns or at least begins to understand the adults with whom she has been so close, and thought she knew so well.

Our atypical family Lives in New Mexico, in a place so far from civilization it is off the map when the IRS comes calling to find out why this family has paid no income taxes in several years.

This summer Charley (the father) was depressed, and nothing could relieve his suffering or pull him out of his pit of despair. Not his wife, a part Hopi woman who loved him with all her heart, or his precocious thirteen year old daughter, Bo, or even his best friend, George Charley's depression is a constant weight borne by this family who show by example how deeply disturbing clinical depression may be to those who love you. Meanwhile, the IRS is coming to call, and the man has to hike through the desert to arrive at their doorstep He is startled by his view of Arlene, naked, weeding in the garden. He collapses, from heat and a bee sting, and essentially never leaves.

The young girl, Bo, who has been home-schooled and is possibly one of the cleverest children you will ever meet in a movie, is somewhat of a con artist, and looks for ways to bring her family into the mainstream; something they obviously went into the desert to avoid. She runs scams on snackfood companies to get cartons of their product for free. She longs for a television, bathrooms and running water. She would like to have a little spending money for things that all kids want. Maybe what she really needs is the company of other children and the freedom to be a child-because the expectations of her family upon her are huge, although taken for granted.

The mother is the only one that seems to have a clear idea of the family's need to touch base with civilization, and she shows this in many community activities. She bargains with dentists for dental care, for example, by tending the dentist's fruit trees. She reads to prisoners. She knows that although the family does not need to live conventional lives, they must be able to eke out existence with the skills they have, their brains, and careful use of resources.

The father, Charley, when not depressed, contributes by scrounging through dumps, fixing things, and generally being able to apply what we used to call American Ingenuity to common problems. The family is able to make a living although none of it comes through as reportable income.

The IRS guy, William, translates as any one of the many outsiders (including me) who came to New Mexico and stayed, fascinated by the desert, the spiritual nature of the place, and a way of life that few could ever live. He is so completely overwhelmed that he stays with the family at their invitation, and begins to paint.

Charley's best friend George is another contact to the outside world, because he lives and works in town, He eventually makes another choice, which will impact and change the family; ironically brought on by Charley's depression.

WRITING

I believe the script was as good as anything I have heard or read in many years, both for its ability to use dialog well, and the story. The writer Joan Ackerman, has few credits as yet, and is hardly mainstream. Yet future greatness would not at all surprise me.

DIRECTING

I think this is the glue that creates a work of art in the film, inspired by a screen play. The story could not really work without the visual impact of the location, the acting and the integrity of this directing. Without the location and careful manipulation of resources and performers, the story would have been little more than a coming of age flick, featuring a precocious and annoying smart aleck teenager, who borders on being rude. The film integrates the lives of this group better than a written story itself could have done. Campbell Scott, better known for his acting (Mamet’s THE SPANISH PRISONER), did a superb job. His strong affiliation with great stage actors and crew paid off here.


CINEMATOGRAPHY

I believe you have to understand the mystique of New Mexico to have filmed it so well. Locations ranged from around Taos, Carlsbad, Albuquerque and I believe at least one scene with the Santa Fe Square, all uniquely New Mexico. It was well done by someone who obviously understood the place, Juan Ruiz Anchia.


MUSIC

Gary DeMichele, who has composed for other Campbell Scott efforts, including THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS, created the musical score.

DVD FEATURES

The anatomy of a scene feature offers some interesting viewpoints to filmmaking, and Campbell Scott's intelligent commentary will enhance your appreciation of the film experience.

CAST and performances

Amy Brenneman as adult Bo. This character does some off camera narration, but is not the screen Bo that we come to know. You may know her as the actress in the title role in the TV series JUDGING AMY. As the adult version of the 13 year old we come to know, she is believable.

Valentina de Angelis as Young Bo. This girl does an incredible job of showing the energy, enterprising nature, daring and potential all so painfully present in the transition years from child to adult. I liked her, and even recognized some aspects of her personality not unlike those of my own daughter in New Mexico at that age. This was the kid’s first movie and it was a very good job. You will either like this character, or like Granniemose, be annoyed by her.

Joan Allen-as Arlene. This character is one of many that show her superlative skills as an actress. The least likely person in my mind to stand naked in a garden in a movie, she pulls it off without a hitch. She is the earth mother, semi -mystical essence of woman that most of us either encounter or become in the course of our lives. I liked the fact that this character, for all of her mystical connection to the universe, is still the one who takes responsibility for nurturing her family, and anchoring them in reality.

Sam Elliott as Charley- I have to confess Sam Elliott has the face that brought me to this movie. Always a favorite of mine, despite the fact that most of his movies are Westerns, I rarely miss an opportunity to watch him move and listen to that deep sensual voice. He didn’t talk much in this flick, but I have yet to see someone who portrayed clinical depression more accurately. You will have to see it to believe it.

JK Simmons as George- Interestingly, this friend of Charley's had older ties to him than anyone; they had been to Korea together. The friendship remained, yet their lives definitely took different turns. Charley's depression finally jolts George into taking some control of his own life, instead of appending himself to Charley's family.

Jim True-Frost as William Gibbs-the IRS man who came to investigate for the IRS but never leaves. He makes an enduring mark on the world by unexpectedly creating something unique and beautiful-which you will have to see the movie to discover. This character may seem implausible to some, but you will have to take my word for it, he is not the only person I have known to lose himself in the mysterious Southwest.

Boots Southern, JD Garfield, Matthew Montoya, Kathy Griego, William Hart McNicholas, Timothy Martinez and Kevin Skousen all had less memorable parts.

Finally....

There are some places in everyone’s life that seem to reflect the truest expression of their beings. New Mexico is that place for me. If you have never been there you would not understand. The movie was enjoyable, entertaining and somehow profound all at the same time. If you have ever struggled with depression (and many do, never admitting it) then maybe this movie will touch a cord in your life. Even if you are simply a fan of Joan Allen or Sam Elliott, you should not miss this flick.

............

I dedicated this review to Ed Grover, because it reminds me so much of one of his contributions to Epinions , http://www.epinions.com/content_2918490244 This writing by Ed was the reason I have always felt so connected to him-I may never meet him in person, but I have loved him for a very long time. Don't get me wrong, I liked and respected Ed long before this. This contribution to Granniemose’s birthday bash in 2002, although it was entirely fictional on his part, cemented the connection. OFF THE MAP will always bring back the warmth of Ed’s friendship, and remind me of the instant that I suddenly recognized another kindred soul afloat in the sea of humanity. And Ed, if you are still reading, you know how I feel.




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older