The Retrieval (2014)

How sad is this?

Best movie ever!

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

It's 1864. Burrell is the harsh leader of a gang of bounty hunters tracking down runaway slaves. Will is a 13-year-old negro who is used as bait and spy to uncover the underground railroad. He relies on his uncle Marcus who is Burrell's slave. Burrell is looking for Nate who is digging graves for the Federals near Petersburg. Marcus and Will set off across the lines and trick Nate by telling him that his brother is dying. He agrees reluctantly to join them back across the lines but he doesn't really trust the two strangers.This starts with a compelling, murky, complicated relationship between Burrell, Marcus and Will. I would have loved to stay with the three of them together. The road trip offers some interesting complications of its own. However, it's not as great as the opening fifteen minutes. Nevertheless, it's an unusual compelling journey.

The American Civil War remains one of the most profoundly monumental events in world history. Over 200 years after the first cannon shot rang out in Fort Sumter, signaling the start of hostilities, the scars remain in the collective psyches of Americans from sea to shining sea. For many Southern-born Americans, the Civil War had its origins in Northern aggression; the oppressive federal government appeared to actively be engaging in tactics meant to usurp and undermine Southern culture and their right to self-govern. To Northern-born Americans, the issue was and remains quite simply black and white; the Southern states were slave-trading and benefited from an economy formed by evil and racist means. Morally, this could not be allowed any longer. While the guns have fallen silent and the Civil War debates are definitely more civil than war now, the four year struggle for control of the fate of an entire nation has produced outstanding books, award winning documentaries, and a handful of fine films set in this most turbulent of times. 'The Retrieval' is both an outstanding film set in the American Civil War, as well as a further example, if one were still needed, of the maturation of the acting skills of Bill Oberst. Jr. My first exposure to Bill Oberst Jr. as an actor was his starring role as Abraham Lincoln in 'Abraham Lincoln Versus Zombies', a rare 'mockbuster' genre entry that surpasses the quality of the bigger-budget film it was made to chase the success of; in that instance, the morose and direction-less 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'. I was struck by the seriousness by which Oberst chose to portray Lincoln; unlike the over-the-top, cartoon superhero found in 'Vampire Hunter', the Abe Lincoln in 'Zombies' was a sombre leader of men who soberly assessed the unnatural threat that has literally arose around him. Even while dispatching zombie hordes with a scythe, Oberst's artistic choices to stay true to the dignity and poise that Lincoln embodied as an historical character of great import rose 'Zombies' above the dubious quality of other mockbuster fare. Here was an actor who displayed gravitas towards a film role when he didn't have to; here was an actor who brought 'Honest Abe' to life by being honest to him. Oberst's earnest delivery of the Emancipation Proclamation at the film's conclusion was the final deciding factor; I was a Bill Oberst Jr. fan, because here was an actor's actor who would do his utmost to respect the characters he portrayed. In his film and TV career, Oberst has continued to approach characters, many of whom have been irredeemable, evil characters, honestly. He doesn't try to sugar-coat them, he doesn't try to get the audience on his side by blunting or downplaying what these people are and what they are capable of. As a fan, I of course sought out other films in which he appeared, and was delighted to discover that, more often than not, his performances would invariably be the highlight of many films he appeared in. In the case of 'The Retrieval', a film in which as a fan I am permitted to come full circle upon, having been so impressed with his previous Civil War-era work, he benefits from a stellar cast around him. Given the opportunity to work with others of his acting caliber, armed with a strong script, an engaged director, and isolated outdoor locations that give a much broader sweep of area for him to work, Oberst delivers another strong performance. The character in which Oberst portrays, the bounty hunter Burrel, is definitely the 'heavy' of the piece. He frames the film, appearing both in the opening minutes as well as the last, and his presence informs the work throughout. He is inarguably the most important character, by virtue of the simple fact that every decision taken by every other character is as a result of his words and deeds. Will, an orphaned slave whose only remaining familial connection is an opportunistic collaborator of an uncle, is both forced into a life of turning members of his own race in to Burrel as well as subsisting on the scraps of financial rewards for doing so. His story is thus one of being sold out himself; as a white slave profiteer Burrel is at least honest about what he does, while Uncle Marcus fools himself and attempts to convince Will that what they do is a temporary measure in order to gain the necessary resources to escape. T he moral complexity of 'The Retrieval' makes for fascinating viewing, buoyed by strong performances throughout. Given such meaty material to work with, the cast in general and Bill Oberst Jr in particular are afforded the opportunity to delve deep into their characters. Ashton Saunders as Will reveals an acting depth far above his youth, as he makes fine use of facial expressions and simple but meaningful glances to convey the character's confusion and sadness the adult burdens fostered upon him by his circumstances. Tishuan Scott is wonderful, lending weight to a character that becomes a father figure to Will, as well as a counter-point to Keston John's Marcus, providing a moral guidepost for Will to follow. He brings a deep sense of dignity to the part, conveying a man beaten down by life yet still capable of providing kindness to a young boy trapped in the moral hell of the American Civil War.

Don't care for movies about slavery? Feel that there is nothing new or profound left to be discerned from such a well beaten premise? Would you rather not be blatantly reminded of the horrors of the civil war period of history? Well, dear movie viewer, let me allay your fears and reassure you that there is no need for hesitance in regards to watching this wonderful film. Is there killing in this movie? Yes. However, this is not done so as to pander to the audience. This is not violence for violence's sake. Nor did I get the sense that the intent was to dredge up feelings of guilt in it's viewers. This film is unique in the sense that it is the only movie about slavery which is not centered on the depiction of travesties but is instead a morality play about universal themes such as love, longing, regret, hope, kindness, selfishness, doubt and resolve. The casting is top notch as all the characters, from the young lead to the smallest cameo's, are utterly believable. Period detail and cinematography are also exceptional. There have been many films on this subject and in my opinion The Retrieval stands shoulder to shoulder with classics like Glory and Ride with the Devil. A must see.

A young boy struggles with adult dilemma when he is put in a situation where he must choose between his survival and that of a stranger. He comes from and emotionally and physically barren world, treated like chattel, unloved. He accepts his lot because he sees no future for himself. While sent off by a bounty hunter to bring back a gullible freed slave, his sense of morality and kindness is stirred. Will the touch of human kindness by this stranger bring him redemption? No spoilers.I am surprised that this film has not received a wider audience. I picked it up on line.