Glen and Randa

Set against a post-apocalyptic future, "Glen and Randa" (1971) is an dystopian art-house film directed by Jim McBride. The movie presents the tale of two young characters, Glen played by Steve Curry, and Randa played by Shelley Plimpton, who journey through a world that has been devastated by nuclear disaster.

Glen, the movie's primary protagonist, is a young man fuelled by his curiosity for the “world before” that he has only known through a stash of old comic books he discovered amongst the rubble of the old world. He’s a dreamer, longing to discover more about bygone civilizations and their technologies, eager to take on the thrilling adventures portrayed in his comic books. He finds a comic book called "Motorcycle Boy," which focuses on the stories of a unique city with turrets that touch the sky, roads teeming with cars, and descriptions of a “sea that catches on fire.”

Randa, per contra, is considerably more understated yet questioning. She quietly yearns for comprehension and answers for their new world. Randa is marvellously brought to life by Shelley Plimpton, her portrayal adding depth and soul to the film. The relationship exhibited between Glen and Randa is an innocent one - they seem like two teenagers finding their way in a desolate world. They struggle for survival, clinging to a semblance of normality, guided by their shared dreams and unified through their love for each other.

Yet at the very core of the film isn't just these ardent travelers. It is the stark, unadulterated exploration of a post-apocalyptic world - a grim setting remarkably realized by the film’s set designers. The world of Glen & Randa is barren, devoid of any obvious civilizational markers that once existed. It is a world laid bare by the aftermath, a landscape filled with skeletal remains of a world that used to be.

Also starring actor Woodrow Chambliss, who lends his acting prowess to this already stunning ensemble, the movie charts Glen and Randa's exploration through this denuded landscape. They journey from one place to another in search of the city elucidated in the comic book, meeting eclectic and colorful characters along the way. These characters add more layers to the world-building and hint at different ways humanity could adapt or change after such a catastrophic event.

Director Jim McBride has done a commendable job at capturing both the starkness of a post-apocalyptic world and the fragile web of human connections that continues to unfold in its wake. He explores the concept of a world stripped of the vestiges of progress, technology, and conventional societal structures yet, intriguingly, notions of hope, curiosity, survival and love persist.

Glen and Randa don’t appear to be rebelling against anything or trying to restore anything from the past. They are simply surviving, settling for less but desiring more, and that’s what makes their journey riveting. Their unaffected desire to live in the ruins of a dead society, navigate through its carcasses, and construct a life out of it, is what builds the movie's powerful narrative.

The cinematography adeptly matches the film's slow-burning narrative, offering wide, lingering shots of the desolate universe — a world completely exterminated by a nuclear fallout. The camera silently observes Glen and Randa's journey and allows viewers to speculate on their undefined future.

Despite its desolate setting, "Glen and Randa" embodies the audacity of youth, and the will to explore and survive against all odds. The film is a compelling watch, integrating passionate performances with a reflective narrative and stunning visuals, and proves significant for any viewer interested in exploration of post-apocalyptic themes.

In a nutshell, "Glen and Randa" is a movie of lost innocence, rediscovery, and survival in a world that has seemingly forgotten humanity. Its grim landscapes and profound narrative are sure to leave an indelible imprint on its viewers. Not just a post-apocalyptic tale, the film is a poignant exploration of human spirit and resilience, masked in the innocence of its two main characters.