Prince Avalanche is a smallish independent film directed by David Gordon Green, a renowned filmmaker in the indie film circuits. Acting wise, this film is majorly a two-hander starring Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch. There isn't much happening in this film plot-wise which makes it a study of these two characters and an exploration of their sensitivities.
Alvin played by Rudd and Lance played by Hirsch are two road-crew workers. They are also related in some way as Alvin is in a relationship with Lance's sister. They are two very different characters. Alvin is the mature, organised, reserved man, while Lance is the younger, wild, immature and naive individual. The film mainly is about the gradual development of a bond between them after initial hiccups. The film makes us witness two characters undergoing subtle changes and each of these characters get glimpses of self realisations on account of their interactions with each other through the course of the film. The fact that these two fellows are making the roadways ready for usage with the rugged, abrasive and bleak looking remains of forests ravaged by wildfire at the backdrop tells everything that you need to know about the message of the film. The director wants to say that unforeseen and unfortunate events will keep happening as we move forward on this road called life, but what has to be ensured is that we don't allow ourselves to get irreparably affected by them and we should keep moving forward and enjoy ourselves without neglecting our responsibilities. I loved how the two characters went through a whole range of emotions throughout the film which range from trying to brutally beat each other up to having very heartfelt and intimate conversations about their lives and their decisions. They are very different characters, but both manage to change the other in the best way without changing their basic identities.
The cinematography is brilliant with the film being completely shot outdoors. The dark, desolate forests and the barren tree branches growing out and almost giving the film stills a 3d effect, reminded me of the cinematography in Tarkovsky's 'Ivan's Childhood'. The direction by Green has to be admired too, as a film of this structure and such themes generally involve female characters, so to make a film like this with male leads and then to make it an endearing film as a whole is an achievement.
However 'Prince Avalanche' isn't without flaws. I think the dialogue writing is a bit questionable at times. There are a few scenes where the dialogue becomes a bit too blunt and unsubtle. The characters become a bit too verbally explicit in these scenes. Another flaw is Emile Hirsch's acting in a few scenes. Overall, he is good in the film, but there are a few scenes where his acting comes across as forced and it loses its believability. Paul Rudd is fantastic in pretty much every scene. There is also a montage towards the end of the film after the characters decided to throw caution to the wind, and this montage looked extremely generic, something that is overused in a lot of similar films.
So 'Prince Avalanche' is not a perfect film, but it is certainly very well made and it has noble ideas and a likable message. It might not linger in your mind for too long, but the characters in the film certainly will be good company during the film.
Alvin played by Rudd and Lance played by Hirsch are two road-crew workers. They are also related in some way as Alvin is in a relationship with Lance's sister. They are two very different characters. Alvin is the mature, organised, reserved man, while Lance is the younger, wild, immature and naive individual. The film mainly is about the gradual development of a bond between them after initial hiccups. The film makes us witness two characters undergoing subtle changes and each of these characters get glimpses of self realisations on account of their interactions with each other through the course of the film. The fact that these two fellows are making the roadways ready for usage with the rugged, abrasive and bleak looking remains of forests ravaged by wildfire at the backdrop tells everything that you need to know about the message of the film. The director wants to say that unforeseen and unfortunate events will keep happening as we move forward on this road called life, but what has to be ensured is that we don't allow ourselves to get irreparably affected by them and we should keep moving forward and enjoy ourselves without neglecting our responsibilities. I loved how the two characters went through a whole range of emotions throughout the film which range from trying to brutally beat each other up to having very heartfelt and intimate conversations about their lives and their decisions. They are very different characters, but both manage to change the other in the best way without changing their basic identities.
The cinematography is brilliant with the film being completely shot outdoors. The dark, desolate forests and the barren tree branches growing out and almost giving the film stills a 3d effect, reminded me of the cinematography in Tarkovsky's 'Ivan's Childhood'. The direction by Green has to be admired too, as a film of this structure and such themes generally involve female characters, so to make a film like this with male leads and then to make it an endearing film as a whole is an achievement.
However 'Prince Avalanche' isn't without flaws. I think the dialogue writing is a bit questionable at times. There are a few scenes where the dialogue becomes a bit too blunt and unsubtle. The characters become a bit too verbally explicit in these scenes. Another flaw is Emile Hirsch's acting in a few scenes. Overall, he is good in the film, but there are a few scenes where his acting comes across as forced and it loses its believability. Paul Rudd is fantastic in pretty much every scene. There is also a montage towards the end of the film after the characters decided to throw caution to the wind, and this montage looked extremely generic, something that is overused in a lot of similar films.
So 'Prince Avalanche' is not a perfect film, but it is certainly very well made and it has noble ideas and a likable message. It might not linger in your mind for too long, but the characters in the film certainly will be good company during the film.