Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch star as Alvin and Lance, two opposites repairing a highway after a 1987 wildfire in central Texas. Alvin enjoys the solitude his job offers. He loves being surrounded by nature, camping and fishing, as he is very much an outdoorsman. Though Alvin usually works alone, he has invited his wife's younger brother, Lance, to join him on this particular venture. Lance is used to spending his time drinking and sleeping with random women he picks up from parties or bars back in his home town. Lance finds his new job with Alvin tedious and loathsome. How the characters feel about their job is perfect as to how audiences will be split as far as how they feel towards the film.
Prince Avalanche is based on the award-winning 2011 Icelandic film, Either Way, and directed by David Gordon Green. This is quite a departure from director's last few features and is a return to what made him successful as a filmmaker in the first place, low-budget dramatic comedies. Most people associate David Gordon Green with his widely successful stoner comedy, Pineapple Express, and as co-director of the hit HBO comedy series, Eastbound and Down. However, originally he was a celebrated director in the film festival circuit with George Washington, All the Real Girls, Undertow and Snow Angels, which starred some of today's biggest names before they were famous.
After the success of Pineapple Express, David Gordon Green went on to make two films back-to-back, Your Highness and The Sitter, which were both released in 2011. Your Highness was a throw-back to 80's fantasy films like Labyrinth and The Princess Bride, yet instead of playing it safe as an adventure film for the family, it was a perverted stoner comedy somewhere in-between Pineapple Express and Eastbound and Down. The film was highly criticized though a few of us enjoyed it as a guilty pleasure and it should have been recognized for it's use of practical effects in this age of CGI. The Sitter, on the other hand, was a complete disastrous embarrassment without a single redeeming quality. If it wasn't for an excellent third season of Eastbound and Down in 2012, David Gordon Green might have never found work again.
In the way of story, Prince Avalanche doesn't have much going for it. Visually, it is beautiful. Paul Rudd gives a serious performance that proves, once and for all, that he can act outside of comedy. Though what truly elevates the film from borderline boring to spiritual is a soundtrack from Explosions In The Sky. Audiences who enjoyed Pineapple Express are likely to find themselves falling asleep, as the comedy is quite subtle. This isn't a film for the majority, this is a small film for individuals looking for something with a very real emotional core and some depth. While it's not a very memorable film, it's minimalistic and meditative.
Prince Avalanche is based on the award-winning 2011 Icelandic film, Either Way, and directed by David Gordon Green. This is quite a departure from director's last few features and is a return to what made him successful as a filmmaker in the first place, low-budget dramatic comedies. Most people associate David Gordon Green with his widely successful stoner comedy, Pineapple Express, and as co-director of the hit HBO comedy series, Eastbound and Down. However, originally he was a celebrated director in the film festival circuit with George Washington, All the Real Girls, Undertow and Snow Angels, which starred some of today's biggest names before they were famous.
After the success of Pineapple Express, David Gordon Green went on to make two films back-to-back, Your Highness and The Sitter, which were both released in 2011. Your Highness was a throw-back to 80's fantasy films like Labyrinth and The Princess Bride, yet instead of playing it safe as an adventure film for the family, it was a perverted stoner comedy somewhere in-between Pineapple Express and Eastbound and Down. The film was highly criticized though a few of us enjoyed it as a guilty pleasure and it should have been recognized for it's use of practical effects in this age of CGI. The Sitter, on the other hand, was a complete disastrous embarrassment without a single redeeming quality. If it wasn't for an excellent third season of Eastbound and Down in 2012, David Gordon Green might have never found work again.
In the way of story, Prince Avalanche doesn't have much going for it. Visually, it is beautiful. Paul Rudd gives a serious performance that proves, once and for all, that he can act outside of comedy. Though what truly elevates the film from borderline boring to spiritual is a soundtrack from Explosions In The Sky. Audiences who enjoyed Pineapple Express are likely to find themselves falling asleep, as the comedy is quite subtle. This isn't a film for the majority, this is a small film for individuals looking for something with a very real emotional core and some depth. While it's not a very memorable film, it's minimalistic and meditative.