It is amazing how Kelly Reichardt managed to destroy patriarchy in a fairly short and almost plotless movie about male friendship. Every minor interaction and its repercussions seem to be amplified in a naturalistic setting where every bit of emotion becomes concentrated like a large drop of tear. Kelly Rechardt included details such as Kurt’s pink T-shirt and earrings very subtly and elegantly, which makes me wonder if those are just symbols of their hippie past or something more than pure friendship. The zooming in on plants, birds, snails and insects not only made me lost in the beauty of nature, but also in the meaninglessness, futility and insignificance of human attempts in rebuilding trust and companionship. Mark’s wife and Kurt all seem to be aware of something that Mark is not aware of, and Mark’s apprehension and silence seem to bring pain but no surprise to both of them. In the end, Mark left the hot springs where everything was natural and magical, drifted away from Kurt’s and his wife’s voices, and his only companion seemed to be Air America radio which is a narrative that used to be his.
The Yo La Tengo soundtrack was very nice.