3/5 Little Accidents Writer/director Sara Colangelo’s Little Accidents is a quiet, slow-moving film. It is a turbulent story told in whispers. Like the troubled teen or the disgruntled housewife on which the film rotates, you would never know all of the emotions happening unless you get up close and personal. This trait works both to its advantage and, at times, its disadvantage. After a mining accident, a quaint, nameless American town is left to pick up the pieces. We are told three consecutive stories from three distinct points of view: the accident’s lone survivor, the wife of a mining boss under investigation, and a newly fatherless young boy. Alive but crippled by the accident, Amos (Boyd Holbrook) wants nothing more than to get back to work, hoping that will silence his survivor’s guilt. If that was not enough of a burden, he is being pressured by the bosses to keep his mouth shut about workplace negligence in lieu of a pending investigation. Diane (Elizabeth Banks, The Hunger Games) is the disgruntled wife to Bill (Josh Lucas, Sweet Home Alabama), one of the mining bosses charged with negligence. Finally, we have young Owen (Jacob Lofland, Mud), an indirect victim of the accident. Tying all three of these strands together is the disappearance of Diane’s son JT, a teenager who’s self-esteem and troubled home life is reflected in the way he bullies Owen. When Owen finally has enough of JT’s teasing, he initiates him in a fight. Owen then turns and runs from JT, who falls and hits his head on a rock in pursuit. Another of the film's tragic “little accidents.” Owen is the only soul who knows where JT is. Even more complications arise when Diane begins an affair with Amos and hires Owen to do some yard work. | Director: Sara Colangelo Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Boyd Holbrook, Josh Lucas, Jacob Lofland Writer: Sara Colangelo |
Luckily, Little Accidents comes equipped with a trio of stellar performances to carry us through the slower stretches. Best-in-class is Boyd Holbrook. His character is handicapped, but the physical demands of the role never overshadow the crushing despair and guilt hanging over Amos’ head. Holbrook pulls the whole thing off without a hitch. Elizabeth Banks, free from all Hunger Games makeup gets to truly shine with that wonderful expressive face she was blessed with. Lastly, there is Jacob Lofland. Lofland was in Mud, but do not get him confused with Tye Sheridan. Sheridan has gotten the most attention coming out of the film. Lofland was the friend in that movie, but do not underestimate him. He carries the same kind of grieving gravitas as his more famous co-star.
While the plotting could not be more different, Little Accidents shares a lot of stylistic choices with Debra Granik’s astounding 2010 drama Winter’s Bone. Both films convey a sense of devastation through hushed tones. Another tool both ladies use to great effect is the icy blue tones that color their films. The cinematography choice works wonders for both pictures, though Granik’s film did not rely on it so heavily. I would watch whatever project Colangelo whips up next; I just hope next time she does not put so much trust in the quality of her narrative. There is no doubt it’s strong, but some more storytelling finesse would have made all the difference. (Available on iTunes)