Yevette Renee Nelson reviews
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
Bottom Line
A romantic crime drama
Writer and Director: David Lowery
Cast: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster
Writer-director David Lowery’s second feature Ain’t Them Bodies Saints is reminiscent of Terrence Malick’s 1970s films. A doomed love story filled with downhearted tone. It successfully brings forth strong sentiment for the two lovers who are on the run.
Set in small-town Texas during the 1970s, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints stars outlaws and young couple Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara). Their latest robbery goes array when the local sheriff Patrick Wheeler (Ben Foster) is shot and Bob is sent to prison. Ruth later gives birth to their first child Sylvie and is resigned to raising her on her own.
Before long, Ruth and Sylvie are set-up in a nice home in the town of Meridian, Texas by Skerritt (Keith Carradine). Carradine’s relationship with Bob, Ruth and their group is never fully revealed and leaves you wanting to know more about his involvement in their robberies. Nate Parker makes an appearance as Sweetie, owner of a juke joint and a good friend of Bob’s.
After four years in prison, Bob escapes and local sheriff Wheeler (Ben Foster) immediately begins to keep tabs on Ruth, certain that Bob will attempt to try and make his way to her and their daughter 4 year old daughter, Sylvie.
Lowery crafts a lyrical narrative. All three main characters’ performances are so natural and thrusts this film into a folktale. With Mara and Affleck seldom on screen, Lowery does an impressive job of intertwining the two romantic and sentimental performances. Affleck plays an outlaw cowboy whose focus is not on the money taken during their heists but his love for his family and the daughter he has never met. Mara is always a bit reserved yet is constantly longing for Bob. Foster eventual succeeds in positioning himself into Ruth’s life and keeps a watchful eye out for Bob.
Cinematographer Bradford Young, production designer Jade Healy and costume designer Malgosia Turzanska combine for an Old West Texas film during the Depression. Daniel Hart’s original score adds poetically to the film.
B+
Release date: August 16, 2013
Production: Evolution Entertainment, Paradox Productions, Lagniappe, Sailor Bear, Parts & Labor, Primary Productions in association with The Weinstein Co.
Cast: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Keith Carradine, Nate Parker, Rami Malek, Kennadie Smith, Jacklynn Smith, Robert Longstreet, Charles Baker, Augustine Frizzell, Kentucker Audley, David Zellner
Director-screenwriter: David Lowery
Producers: Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Amy Kaufman, Cassian Elwes
Executive producers: Mark Burg, Jesse Kennedy, Logan Levy, Fredrick Malmberg, Michael Menchel, Daniel Wagner
Director of photography: Bradford Young
Production designer: Jade Healy
Costume designer: Malgosia Turzanska
Editors: Craig McKay, Jane Rizzo, Patrick M. Knickelbine
Casting: Vicky Boone
Music: Daniel Hart
Run time: 104 minutes