Dark River

source: Dark River

I found the acting and writing of this drama compelling, nuanced, and thoughtful. Along with great cinematography of the beautiful yet harsh Yorkshire country, the story is given a real authentic edge. The pacing is what it is and appears not to be trying to hit the notes of a typical run of the mill Hollywood blockbuster. I found it worked brilliantly to create an ambience of the setting, and of the inter-personal tensions, which were convincing, realistic, and relatable. I was quite moved by the end, especially with the haunting vocals of PJ Harvey and her rendition of an old folk song

This movie has early close resemblances to God's Own Country with a different back story but unfortunately it never gets off the ground. Promises are not fulfilled. Like the weather in the scenes, its a damp squib of a movie. The beginning is overly slow and meanders meaninglessly to nowhere before breaking down completely half way through the movie. Stupid characters who seem to have no purpose and garner no sympathy. Probably worked as a novel but this screen adaptation was pointless.

Ruth Wilson carries this film in devastating fashion, through the dark, cold, windy, and disorientating farmland of northern England, where sister and brother vie for tenancy of their deceased father's land. With the menace of Winter's Bone and the tragic tone of Tim Roth's War Zone, the pain of an abused - an emotional cripple trying to forge through the trauma that transcends past and present - has never been made more precipitant than in Dark River. Words ring harsh, blows and falls are felt - this is one that lives you feeling wounded. Precede at your own risk.

It's a tough watch, and it's challenging because of the subject matter, but i thought it was handled sensitively and subtly. You will be able to establish very early on that the main character was sexually abused by her dad, and stayed away from the family farm for 15 years, but returned to reclaim the farm when her dad dies. I think that this is one of the best films I've ever seen for such incredible cinematography and the authentic way it handles the complex relationship between an abuser, their victim and the toxic dynamics between such families. I've worked extensively with children who have been sexually abused (a significant number were in isolated rural settings as well) and both Ruth Wilson, and the actress who played her younger self, were incredibly accurate in their depictions. So much so i found it difficult to watch. The pacing of the film was slow initially, but it picked up enough to keep me interested. It was nice to hear a different Yorkshire accent than sean beans as well. Even though I enjoyed it, it would be great to see a Yorkshire film that's more upbeat rather than the "It's grim up north" subject matter. Yes, we had Rita, Sue and Bob Too, but that was bloody ages ago! There's so much more to us than kestrels, poverty, sheep and rural incest.

The weak story line was saved from drowning in the sea of sweeping landscape shots by the strong and convincing acting, but still ended up as challenging and thought provoking as a damp paper bag. Half way through, after having my patience stretched, I was willing for the end (either of the world or the film, I wouldn't have minded which) to come quickly. It didn't. Dull. Dull. Dull.

There's no question Ruth Wilson has superb charisma on screen and her co-star Mark Stanley is excellent as well, but this film gives the viewer, in my opinion, little room to "come up for air", as the storyline is just relentlessly dark and bleak. I thought the writer and director here Clio Bernard's 2013 movie The Selfish Giant was powerful and memorable, but her latest film is just too muddled and depressing for my tastes.

Only some sheep lovers or Yorkshire dwellers would love this film

SPOILER: A welcome change from the British film industry away from lame comedies and its obsession with the plight of minorities and urban dramas to this excellent but disturbing Northern masterpiece. You certainly won't leave the cinema uplifted but if you're a drama fan you'll be well satisfied. I was more shocked than I thought I would to see the lasting effect of child abuse. This is really the foundation of the film which shows how the effects of a dark family secret can resonate for ever. Some excellent strong performances by the actors. This is a very visual film and the use of audio to enhance the impact of the scenes is well worth a special mention. My rating 8/10 Highly recommended if you like powerful dramas

Let me start on a positive note, the acting in this movie is very good. Ruth Wilson in particular, as always, played her role spot on. But I'm sad to say that's the only thing this movie has going for it. There is really no real storyline, unless I missed something? It's very vague and suggests that there was trauma in the woman's past, aside from that it's an hour and a half of an unstable man having mental breakdowns and yelling at people. But I blame none of this on the actors, the directors and writers should have added something. At the end of this movie I feel like I'm in the same place as when I watched the trailer prior, and I really wanted to like this one, it was supposed to be fantastic and Ruth Wilson is perfect in all her films and shows. I give this a 6/10 based solely on Wilson's performance, otherwise I would give it a 3/10