Becoming Redwood

Becoming Redwood is a 2012 drama film directed by Jesse James Miller who also co-wrote the film with his wife Justine Warrington. This highly emotive narrative stars Ryan Grantham, Jennifer Copping, and Chad Willett among others in the main cast.

Set in the 1970s, at the center of the film we find a young and imaginative boy named Redwood Forest Hanson, played compellingly by Ryan Grantham. Redwood firmly believes he is destined to be the greatest golfer in the world and visualizes winning against his hero Jack Nicklaus at the 1975 Masters Championship in a head-to-head match. His conviction is not baseless but derived from his escapism from a turbulent life. This imaginative alternative reality becomes a coping mechanism for Redwood as he navigates through a tumultuous childhood.

Redwood's life is divided between two parents harboring intense animosity for each other. His mother Jade (Jennifer Copping), has ingrained a strong hatred toward his absentee father, Jack (Chad Willett). When Jade was pregnant with Redwood, Jack left them for another woman, plunging Jade into heartbreak. Jack, a charismatic and free-spirited soul, has lived a life of dodging responsibilities and has been involved in illegal activities to make ends meet.

Little Redwood ends up in a hippie commune with his father in California after his mother unexpectedly loses custody of him due to her unstable mental health. The commune, filled with eccentric characters, presents a new set of challenges for the young boy. Trying to fit in, Redwood clings on to his belief in his golfing destiny even more. The game of golf becomes his constant in an ever-changing and unpredictable world, his way to connect with his absent hero Nicklaus as well as his estranged father.

On the other hand, his father Jack dreams of being a country music star but struggles to live up to his responsibilities as a father and a man. Caught up in a hazardous lifestyle, Jack makes the risky decision of growing marijuana in their back garden to generate income, creating increasing tension and danger for both himself and Redwood.

In a parallel storyline, we see flashbacks of Jack during his brief career as a professional golfer showing his own dreams which were thwarted by his lifestyle choices. These scenes feed into Redwood's visions of being a golfer, further igniting the curiosity.

Jennifer Copping's portrayal of Jade is far from one-sided. She is shown as a woman who is deeply influenced by spirituality, partakes in magical thinking and carries a sort of whimsical belief in the stars. Her mental health issues are hinted at through her eccentric behavior, leading to heartfelt moments of tragedy and the unbreakable bond between her and Redwood.

The cast brings depth and authenticity to why they behave and react in different situations. Alongside the main actors, Derek Hamilton and Emma Grabinsky exude a magnetic charm in their respective roles.

Becoming Redwood is an absorbing tale of a young boy's pursuit to find sanity in a chaotic world and to find his path through dreams and ambition amidst an unbalanced parental relationship. His journey is portrayed with a mix of reality and fantasy, tethering the gaps between a child's innocence and the harsh realities of adulthood.

The film is shot amidst beautiful backdrops of both rural and urban parts of North America. The cinematography does justice to the period setting, while the film is enriched with a lovely, nostalgic soundtrack. Becoming Redwood is not just an ordinary coming-of-age story; it's a heartfelt exploration of family dysfunction, the complexities of parental love, and personal ambition.

The movie has since enjoyed success on the indie film circuit, scooping awards at major festivals, and earning high praise for its storytelling, performances, and aesthetic. All in all, Becoming Redwood lends viewers an intimate lens into the challenges of growing up and paints a poignant picture of finding hope and healing in the midst of familial turmoil.