Padraic McKinley’s impressive directorial debut, The Weight, stars Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe in the dense fog and lush pines of 1933 Oregon, and it feels like it was made in a different era of filmmaking. Desperate to save his family during the peak of the Great Depression, a veteran gets hired to help smuggle a lot of gold over 100 miles of intense wilderness. Hawke plays the mechanic sent to jail on questionable criminal charges, who works with a road gang before a new gig gives him a chance to help his family.
What struck me most is how patient this movie is, which makes it feel like it’s from the era it was made in, not for our dopamine-addicted viewing habits. The plot and planning the adventure aren’t rushed. McKinley lets the story unfold at its own pace, and every decision the characters make once they’re out in that wilderness carries real weight. “Out here I do what I want,” Crowe tells them, which sums up what awaits. Once they go beyond the treeline, the rules of civilization no longer apply.
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Though a dialogue-driven film, it never feels suited to the stage; thanks to its indie scope and outdoor setting, it was meant for the cinema. Filled with beautiful shots, the framing is thorough and intentional, and the editing pulls you in the same way the characters get lost in the dense wildness they’re navigating, as every treacherous river crossing and dangling rope bridge can change their well-being and pose new challenges.
At its core, The Weight is a survival tale where nature and the elements can be just as brutal as the people willing to backstab you to get to the gold. That tension between the environment and the men is the movie’s strongest element. The taut thriller keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, with tension that lingers in the woods: the plot development, acting, and dialogue all pull in the same direction, demanding your attention and locking you closer to the screen. The Weight is old-fashioned in the best sense. This is the kind of adventure picture they don’t make much anymore, and it’s better for it. We need more movies like this, so go see it.
The Weight is now playing in theaters nationwide.
