Arcadia (2012)

Greta's dad Tom is moving the family cross-country in a dented station wagon, promising a California paradise to his kids. All that's missing is Mom.

Director:

Olivia Silver

Writer:

Olivia Silver

Stars:

Ryan Simpkins, Ty Simpkins, Kendall Toole

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ryan Simpkins	...	Greta
Ty Simpkins	...	Nat
Kendall Toole	...	Caroline
Kim Reid	...	Mom
John Hawkes	...	Tom
Chris Fogleman	...	Cashier
Skyler Stone	...	Tatum
Dan Lorge	...	Chief Greene (as Daniel Martin)
Darin Heames	...	Vic
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Agnes
Mike Lutgen	...	Sleazy Man
Tawny Fere	...	Girl at the Bar (as Tawny Ellis)
Julia Campbell	...	Mrs. Acres
Drew Koles	...	Evan Acres (as Andrew Koles)
Steven Eckholdt	...	Mr. Acres

Storyline

Greta's dad Tom is moving the family cross-country in a dented station wagon, promising a California paradise to his kids. All that's missing is Mom.

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Plot Keywords:

coming of age | family relationships | moving | cross country | california | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 January 2014 (France)

Also Known As:

Arkadia

Company Credits

Production Co:

DViant Films, Filament Productions LLC, Madrose Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tessa Allen has a brief cameo in the film as Lisa, the girl who waves and smiles at Greta at school at the end of the film

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Goofs

Tom's short fuse is set off again when he is going to be charged $49 for the entrance fee to the Grand Canyon National Park ($25 for the vehicle plus $12 for each for 2 "adults".) The fee would actually have been only $25, as per the Park's website fee schedule: "Grand Canyon National Park Vehicle Permit- $25.00 (U.S. Dollars) Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers." The entrance fee for "Individuals" entering without a vehicle (walking, bike, etc.,) is $12 each.

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Quotes

Greta: Do you ever feel like your face isn't yours?
Nat: What do you mean?
Greta: Sometimes I just feel like my brain isn't even connected to my face. Like it's a stranger's or something.
Nat: If I were you, I'd really wish my face was a stranger's.

User Reviews

A Good Start, but Could Have Been Better

I have been wanting to see Arcadia for some time, and with its recent reappearance on Amazon Prime, I was able to finally view it. I liked it, but it lacked. This is the type of indie-film that could rock one's smaller screen with its understated power and economy of dialogue and action. In movies such as this, the context and the subtext - what is not spoken - is what (could/should) drive the movie. Coming to mind - although it's been a while since I've seen it - is SHORT TERM 12, about a couple who works at a house for at-risk teens. The tone and the ambition of Arcadia seemed to strive for that elegance, but there wasn't much more than met the eye. The primary narrative device of questioning the father's (John Hawkes) motives was thin, instead of rich, and the growing pains and coming of age of Greta (Ryan Simpkins) was described more through plot more than confusion or grappling.

I liked it. There was the possibility of love. Not a must-see and preferable to watch if/when one is in the mood for a contemplative picture (even though this didn't inspire too much contemplation).