The Land (2016)

Load of rubbish!!

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Believable drama, and quite atmospheric Though thought Michael Kenneth Williams who is such a great character actor was totally under used in his role as one of the teenagers father.

This is the first (full-length) movie written and directed by Steven Caple Jr, a Clevelander from Tremont, where the movie (whose atmosphere sounds quite autobiographic) is based.It's a good film, already vastly celebrated at 2016 Sundance Film Festival, dealing with the universal theme of coming of age without expectations, money, family or education. And Mr Caple's glance to mankind (as in any great artist) is a loving one. Even the title seems to express Author's feelings for his own roots, instead than a relation to the story itself.Some actors are unknown but you will probably recognize Machine Gun Kelly, the unbelievable Erykah Badu and the great Kim Coates.

Going in to watch this movie, I did not have high hopes. It seemed to be a tired theme, judging by the write-up. Though it was not groundbreaking or a 'first of its type', it was thoroughly enjoyable, with some very solid acting accompanied by some excellent music. I think that this film will definitely appeal to a teen audience, much like the classic 'basketball diaries' did for me when I was a teenager.With a solid plot, it actually feels more like a documentary at times, than a movie. It does pull on the heart-strings a little, and will hit home for some with the brutal neighborhood and lifestyle that some less fortunate children are brought up in, but not in a cliché way. Overall I feel a 7/10 does it justice.

There isn't a lot of fun to be had in 'The Land'. It's a very bleak film with quite a depressing view on life. There's one character intended to be the comic relief, but even he comes across quite miserable in most scenes. It's a film that takes itself very seriously. At times this is its biggest strength, and at other times it's its biggest weakness. 'The Land' doesn't have a single likable character. The bad guys are bad and the good guys are bad (just slightly less so). We're meant to root for the four main kids, but you'd have to have some very bizarre morals to want to do that. This is the film's biggest downfall. It's fine if a film is grim because of its story, but when it's dreary purely because of its characters, that's a flaw. It's a little slow getting going, but things do pick up as it goes along. The acting is actually quite impressive from most of the cast. Linda Emond, with limited screen time, really impressed me. She was the most captivating of all the cast and never made the mistake of overacting. Altogether though, there's not a whole lot to see here. I'd call it watchable, without having enough substance to make it anything more than that.