Although Nomadland has garnered nearly all of the critical acclaim -- and award nominations -- 2021's second -- and best -- film about a woman who chooses to live in near-isolation following a tragic loss is the surprisingly effective Land. Working from a screenplay written by Jesse Chatham and Erin Dignam, actress Robin Wright, in her second or third-best movie (#1 is Blade Runner 2049, hands down), splits her time in front of and behind the camera in her directorial debut about a grieving woman who chooses to retreat from the rest of humanity.
Not long after Edee Mathis, who's clearly suicidal, ignores her sister's pleas to live and moves into a mountain cabin alone, she discovers the hard way how ill-advised her plan was and how ill-prepared she is for the Great Outdoors. While Edee doesn't consciously intend to survive, she also isn't quite up to dying by her own hand -- she expects the wilderness to do it for her. To paraphrase Mike Tyson, "Everybody has a plan until the bear shows up...and the blizzard arrives...and the hunger pains kick in." Just as nature jumpstarts her sense of self-preservation, Edee is faced with the crushing realization that she's gotten in over her head and exhausted her resources.
Luckily, local hunter, Miguel, has noticed that someone has moved into the cabin that he's frequently used but, alarmingly, the smoke has stopped rising from the chimney -- despite the snowstorm. But, unable to shake her overwhelming grief, Edee is unsure that she wants to accept the life-saving assistance offered by Miguel and the concerned nurse that he has in tow.
Land has more in common with Nomadland than what's been previously mentioned but to reveal much more would be delving into spoiler territory. I'll just say that the former is an examination of loss, depression and connection that's more than worthy of your time. Check it out.
Now playing in theaters and available on video-on-demand on March 5.
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