Meek is a guide for a small wagon train of three wagons composed of three couples each and one child on the Oregon Trail in 1845. Meek has gotten them lost, though he won't admit it. They're in very dry territory and they're running out of water and food. The men discuss what to do next, relegating Meek to a non-decision-making position and only listening to his recommendations before their decisions are made, usually passing on his more experienced, but no long trustworthy experience. There really isn't much to do but continue walking and walking and walking and walking beside their wagons to conserve their animals' strength. Hysteria and panic attacks are quelled by this very cooperative group of basically kindly good people. Discussions and arguments continue. But ultimately, all they can do is walk and walk and walk through this dry, dusty, seemingly endless landscape and have faith that water will be found over the next rise. Michelle Williams plays a woman who quietly and powerfully stands up for what she believes to be right. The rest of the cast also embodies the quiet strength of pioneers risking their lives to start fresh across the continent, and expend their boundless energy walking and walking and walking. If you want to see people walk across America, and it certainly does feel that way, bring a canteen.
Meek's Cutoff
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Writer: Jonathan Raymond
Cast: Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Paul Dano, Will Patton, Zoe Kazan, Shirley Henderson, Neal Huff
Time: 104 Min.
Rated:: PG
Opening May 6 at the Embarcadero Cinema in San Francisco
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