Wildlife

— Here’s a 1960’s family that’s more dysfunctional than most, making for a particularly disquieting viewing experience. Jerry’s a brooding, never-satisfied, often out of work piece of kindling to wife Jeanette, a smiling, cheery, ego-stroking companion who is far from happy and wants a better and easier life. Their 14-year-old son Joe witnesses their interactions in a state of confused worry, never certain what lies ahead but always trying to hang on to a family drifting apart. All three of them don’t seem to know how to adapt to current realities, affect the future, or remember no one is alone. Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan, as Jerry and Jeanette, are both subtle, adept actors who can convey feelings beneath the surface and there’s a lot going on beneath the surface in this film. There’s also an artful directorial touch, making many of the scenes look more like still photos, perfectly staged and colored. There’s a slow unfolding of the story, moving perhaps at the same pace as the spreading of desperation in the characters’ hearts. It’s hard not to think the intent was to have Jerry and Jeanette somewhat equally represented in the tensions of the film but Gyllenhaal, more than capable of holding his own, is off fighting fires during a large portion of the film, leaving Mulligan’s acting power unharnessed and nearly taking over the film. It’s a good film but a little uneven. In the end, we remember Jeanette’s answer to the question "What happens to the animals out there during a wildfire?"—”They adapt, I suppose. The little ones get confused and burn up. I used to cry about it when I was a little kid. My father said that didn't help anything." And, I suppose, Jerry & Jeanette eventually do adapt. Luckily their son doesn't burn up, but he does grow dealing with a lot more than he should have to.

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[2018. 105 min. Directed by Paul Dano. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Carey Mulligan, and Ed Oxenbould.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/wildlife-2018