Director: Taylor Sheridan
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen and Jon Bernthal
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which audiences treasure like Jeremy Renner. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Renner has made memorable movies. Whether it’s troubled soldiers, political leaders or bank robbers, Renner has played many compelling characters. Arguably, Renner’s strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Renner has always left a lasting impression. Through his abilities to portray strong characters which are compelling, Renner has built a legacy that is lasting. Throughout a lasting career, Renner has made many memorable movies which are worth taking about.
I’m a big fan of Renner and adore all the films he has created in his career. However, “Wind River” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2017, Taylor Sheridan’s movie offered a strong portrait of Native-American murders. Packed with captivating production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest murder mystery films ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Jeremy Renner, who embodies a detective investigating murder. Ultimately, what makes “Wind River” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most murder mystery films, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about the Aboriginal community, there are many reasons why “Wind River” is worth watching.
Set on a Native-American reservation, “Wind River” tells the story of detectives seeking to investigate murder. Jeremy Renner embodies Cory Lambert, a dedicated game tracker that has always excelled at inspecting murder. Cory has commonly succeeded at resolving crimes in his city. However, Cory’s life forever changes when he is tasked with investigation of Native-American murder. Assisted by his partner Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen), Cory endeavours to organize murder investigation. As he uncovers shocking secrets about Aboriginal community, Cory questions whether it’s possible for him to solve crimes causing catastrophe. Faced with a dilemma, Cory wonders whether it’s possible to cope with the murder of innocent civilians in towns facing trauma.
Taylor Sheridan is a newcomer towards stories of Indigenous communities. A screenwriter, he had never made about a film about Aboriginal communities. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of Aboriginal communities impacted by murders causing tragedy, but he succeeds tremendously. Through breathtaking cinematography, Sheridan captures detectives inspecting mystery. Inspired by Kevin Costner’s “Dances with Wolves”, Sheridan uses handheld camerawork to capture indigenous individuals in a crime mystery. For instance, the handheld camera enhances the murder discovery scene. During this memorable scene, Cory discovers the murder for the first time causing tension on the Wind River reservation. Using captivating handheld camera, Sheridan creates a portrait of the indigenous community that’s engaging. Handheld camerawork id a tricky technique to use in a majority of movies. As Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” suggested, handheld camera elevates comic-book blockbusters. However, it works tremendously. Using captivating visuals, Sheridan captures the tension that indigenous communities are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Wind River” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. Sheridan’s choice to shoot the film in Native-American reservations is risky, but it works well. Throughout the film, Sheridan uses Native-American reservations to capture a life of a community enduring tension. For instance, the Native-American locations elevate murder meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Cory meets with families of the Native woman that has been murdered. Using real-life Native American locales, Sheridan captures tensions that aboriginal tribes are facing. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Nick Cave’s music is key to the success of the movie. The music gives an atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that detectives bear. Using captivating production, Sheridan captures a compelling murder infestation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Wind River” is a murder mystery film which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture aboriginal communities affected by violence. Throughout the movie, Sheridan uses silence to capture individuals that face mourning. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cory bids farewell to the Native American community. Using strong sequences of silence, Sheridan crafts portrait of indigenous communities that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival” claimed clearly, silence enhances films about alien invasions. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay. Sheridan captures aboriginal tribes facing a pride to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Jeremy Renner delivers one of his best career performances as Cory Lambert. Renner first earned appreciation for playing superheroes in Marvel movies. With “Wind River”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a detective investigating murders in a small town city but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most iconic role. With strong expressions, Renner portrays a detective seeking to inspect murders. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the begs actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Jeremy Runner, the supporting cast is also spectacular. Elizabeth Olsen is excellent, and bringing dedication to a female cop seeking to conduct an investigation. Jon Bernthal is brilliant, capturing the bravery of an officer facing a tragic downfall. Lastly Sean Penn merits appreciation. As a hilarious, he a Vietnam. As an evil commander, he is hilarious.
Fans of Jeremy Renner would enjoy “Wind River” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular western, it honours an actor deserving of recognition.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about detectives seeking to investigate the murder of Native-Americans on Wind River, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with strong dedication that has portrayed compelling characters in unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 