WIND RIVER   3.5***

  Rape and murder on an Indian reservation with Jeremy Renner really coming into his own as a not particularly handsome leading man. He provides a very strong performance as Cory Lambert, a U.S. Wildlife hunter with a high powered rifle often on a high speed snowmobile. The picture opens with a long sequence of a young Indian woman running barefoot across a vast nighttime snowscape until she finally drops dead. Eventually we will find out that she was brutally  raped and was fleeing for her life.  Renner, starts an informal investigation on his own. A rookie FBI agent, (Elizabeth Olsen) is called in to assist with the investigation. A junior woman agent is all the FBI cares to spare for this case, obviously regarded as unimportant because who. cares about Indians ?!? But, since only the FBI has police authority on Indian reservation territory they have to make at least a token contribution to the investigation If this all sounds a bit heavy, well it is, but Writer- Director Taylor Sheridan is careful to inject a healthy dose of suspense and  action to keep the drama gripping rather than overbearing; The finale in particular turns the movie on its head in an unpredictable but extremely effective manner.

Sheridan allows the snowy Wyoming setting to completely envelope the characters in a world that feels like it has no exits, either physically or emotionally. Bravo to Director Sheridan and all others involved in this remarkable outdoor production ( at least 90% was filmed outdoor in the winter ) . The movie was filmed in Utah although the setting is supposedly Wyoming on the Wind River Reservation. An added reality perk, real Indians, not Hollywood palefaces, portray the Native American characters. And do it so well!

I know this is not much of a summary, but that is all you really need to know, besides the fact that I REALLY enjoyed it. Make no mistake: this is a dark film that deals with very haunting subject matter, so there is quite a bit of weight to it, but Sheridan treats this story with the highest level of respect by allowing his very well written script to drive it while still shooting it beautifully. To see such beautiful winter landscape almost took my breath away while at the same time reminding me how dangerous such a hard cold snowy environment can be.  

From a performance standpoint, both Renner and Olsen are excellent in how they dialed it WAY back within their characters with Renner keeping Lambert simple and focused on the task at hand and Olsen showing how Agent Banner is just trying to do the right thing while attempting to understand the situation she’s in while delicately asserting the authority she has representing the FBI.. Graham Greene, as the Indian policeman, gives great balance and levity to their dynamic while keeping his character involved as a reminder of the heightened sensitivity of their situation.

An intelligent, slow burning and provocative movie that enthralls from start to finish, Wind River is an understated gem that deserves an audience which is growing by very favorable “word of mouth”.

Rated R for strong violence, a rape, disturbing images, and language.

Clark