Resolution is an awkward movie to review given that many of
the things that make it stand out from the indie horror herd should be left to
the viewer to discover and not tossed off irresponsibly as spoilers in a
review. The movie follows the story of
two best friends one of whom is married with a baby on the way the other a drug
addicted loser who has lost most of his friends as a result of various
betrayals and misdemeanours. The latter
has taken up residence in an old deserted cabin on an Indian reservation. The former joins him there after he receives
a mysterious video via email that he perceives to be a cry for help. Once he arrives at the cabin he handcuffs his
friend to a pipe and forces him to go cold turkey.
As the week progresses and Chris (Vinny Curran) struggles
with methamphetamine withdrawal Peter (Michael Danube) discovers a variety of
fragments of a story related via various different mediums; a book; some
photographs; an old film reel, a video tape etc. The central mystery of the movie revolves
around where these artefacts come from, who left them and how, if at all, they
relate to Chris and Peter and their on-going story. As the movie progresses the content of these
mysterious fragments becomes increasingly alarming and the two friends find
that control of their destiny is becoming ever more fluid and difficult to
grasp.
Various secondary characters are woven into the story in often random fashion; a
couple of Chris’ drug dealer acquaintances; the Native Americans who own the
cabin; a French archaeologist played by growing indie horror legend Bill Oberst
Jr who lives alone in a trailer in the middle of nowhere. Some of these characters have no real impact
on the narrative and although they could be perceived as red herrings I also
looked upon them as ingredients that sharpened the overall atmosphere of
steadily mounting dread that develops as the movie progresses.
The vast majority of the movie’s ninety minute run time is
focused on the two main characters with their decade’s long friendship
wonderfully convincing. It would have
been very easy to paint Chris as an irresponsible, junkie loser. It’s far more difficult to create a sympathetic,
often funny character whose addiction is presented to the audience in a refreshingly
non-judgmental fashion. Part of the
reason why this works is the remarkable writing. Script writer and co-director Justin Benson
has a keen ear for naturalistic dialogue.
Much of the interplay between the two main characters comes across as
being skilfully improvised but for the most part the line readings are exactly
as they were in the script. Likewise the
character of Peter, a role which could have so easily have been written as
worthy and self-righteous is revealed as a truly compassionate, infinitely
patient human being who just wants to stop his friend from killing himself.
Ultimately Resolution is a puzzle and an incredibly well
realised one at that. Not only does it
benefit from a second viewing but absolutely demands it. After my initial viewing I came away thinking
that certain elements were open to interpretation; something that certainly didn't seem to
result from a lack of confidence and/or focus on the part of the film-makers
but rather grew organically out of the way the movie was written, filmed and
structured. Having revisited the movie I
realise that the film-makers intentions are there to be divulged. I still think it's a puzzle but one with a
clear and expertly constructed denouement that says a lot about the role of the
viewer in a movie (or any piece of fiction regardless of medium).
Resolution earns its place within the growing pantheon of
indie horror movies that have been surfacing of late that reveal mainstream
horror as the largely empty vessel it has become. As I indicated at the beginning of this piece
this is an awkward movie to review. But
I state with absolute confidence that if you enjoyed Jug Face, The Battery or
Absentia you'll likely warm to this little gem.
Alongside these films Resolution represents the true face of modern
horror and I for one cannot wait to see what co-directors Justin Benson and
Aaron Moorhead come up with next.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful viewing and taking the time to write about our movie!
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