LET HIM GO

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and a sleepy ad campaign this film will probably fall under most people's radars but it shouldn't. Diane Lane and Kevin Costner play Margaret and George Blackledge. Lane plays the outgoing, stubborn, and when need be, spitfire Mid-West wife while Costner plays the rough and rugged, reserved Gary Cooper-esque, strong and silent type. The film follows the couple who's former daughter-in-law and grandson move away from Montana to North Dakota to be with her new husband's family. Thankfully director Thomas Bezucha uses the beautiful and mountainous state's scenery to provide some eye candy during transitional scenes while the couple is traveling. They come upon trouble when they find where their former daughter-in-law and grandson are now calling home. The Weboy family is quite popular in the Dakota's and the real Queen B of the picture is played marvelously by Lesley Manville, who's the mother of the clan as Blanche Weboy. The scenes involving the Blackledge's and Weboy's are nothing short of tense. Upon arriving at the Weboy house, I was immediately reminded of the house from the original TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, and even though this is anything but a horror film, the build up, isolation, and sense of unease quickly develop. The film is well paced and doesn't overstay it's welcome. A very enjoyable ride that again, I hope is viewed by many as it's an all around solid flick! 7/10