Lost River

It's easy to write "Lost River" off as professional dreamboat Ryan Gosling's first attempt at writing and directing. It does have that new director smell, as some scenes are clearly more about a stylistic choice than furthering the plot. Plus, he casts his bestie Christina Hendricks and wife Eva Mendes. But when everything is said and done, Gosling does manage to create a dark and haunting fairy tale that doesn't feel referential at all. The fact that he also wrote the script also does earn him some points. But you may not want to be in a room alone with him after you see it.

Billy (Hendricks) is the prototypical MILF. You get to see her holding her baby and struggling with money. Her town has become a lost river as people have abandoned their homes or been forced out. She's struggling to make money to pay her house payments and meets a sketchy banker (Ben Mendelsohn). Meanwhile, her son Bones (Iain De Caestecker) is doing what he can to make money and trying to avoid the twisted scourge of the neighborhood bully (Matt Smith). Billy gets drafted into a dark underworld where attractive women become what can best be described as murder strippers. They do cabaret acts that end in their "dying" on stage. Meanwhile, Bones forms an attachment to his lonely neighbor Rat (Saoirse Ronan), who has a theory about a curse that has affected their town.

The plot unfolds like a macabre mind-warping fairy tale, but it is still compelling. It also showcases the acting talents of Hendricks, Mendes, and Ronan. You also do get to see that Gosling is more than just a pretty face as he tells a story you would neither expect nor see coming. The Blu-ray doesn't include any bonus features, which is a bit of a letdown since this is such a unique vision and could use a little insight into the esotericism.

Ultimately, "Lost River" is an unexpected surprise. You have no idea what to expect, and may not even fully understand what's going on until the end. However, there is plenty of beauty and there are great performances throughout the film, and a fresh perspective from a new writer/director.

Lost River
Blu-Ray/Digital Copy
$29.98
lostrivermovie.com