The Driftless Area

The Driftless Area is a 2015 dramatic film directed by Zachary Sluser and based on a novel written by Tom Drury. This unique and enchanting movie takes the audience on a captivating journey that merges elements of romance, mystery, drama, and the supernatural in a seamless fashion. Anton Yelchin, Zooey Deschanel, John Hawkes, and other star-studded cast add depth, charisma, and individuality to the film through their remarkable performances.

The film centers around Pierre Hunter (Anton Yelchin), a bright and dutiful young man brimming with charm. Pierre is a passionate bartender with an unusual knack for philosophy. Following the unfortunate demise of his parents and discovering a bag full of cash left by a drowning man, Pierre's life takes a mystifying turn. He ventures back to his tiny hometown in the Driftless Area after years of absence, intending to piece together the enigmatic turn of events leading him to a place of crimes, strange coincidences, and uncanny encounters.

But as he delves deeper, he finds himself entangled in a challenging web knit by a crafty criminal named Shane (John Hawkes). Shane, a seemingly heartless character, has links to the sudden stash of money and dangerously thrusts Pierre into a world of peril and mystery.

However, it's Pierre's quirky encounter with a captivating, mysterious woman, Stella (Zooey Deschanel) that truly sets the pace of the film. This strange yet enchanting connection sets the stage for an unworldly love story, which adds a subtle layer of ethereal romance and mystic intrigue to the narrative.

Stella is a peculiar character with her own host of secrets. She's enigmatic, beguiling, and radiates a certain sense of wonder and fascinating oddity that leaves Pierre, and the audience, wanting to know more about her. This complex relationship forms the heart of The Driftless Area- It's unconventional, intriguing, and brilliantly explores the meaningful connection between two seemingly random individuals, profoundly linked in a way beyond ordinary understanding.

One of the significant marvels of The Driftless Area is how successfully it manages to blend realism with the supernatural, grounding the movie in a baffling space somewhere between reality and the otherwise. The film's ethereal essence is further fortified by its hauntingly serene setting, an area unaffected by the last ice age, lending an other-worldly beauty to the backdrop of the narrative.

The film’s cinematography contributes significantly to the overall mood and atmosphere, presenting beautiful images that perfectly encapsulate the story’s ethereal tone. Unusual camera angles and stunning visuals add a level of intrigue and beauty to the film, rendering it a visually impressive piece of cinema.

The charming performances by Anton Yelchin and Zooey Deschanel weave magic into the narrative, their chemistry breathing life into what is already an engrossing story. Adding to these central performances, John Hawkes takes the experience up a notch, providing a chilling and competently executed portrayal of a menacing figure.

The screenplay, adapted by Tom Drury from his own novel, is filled with succinct dialogue and cryptic interactions that hold the viewers' attention. It possesses a play-like quality, where the focus is as much on the characters and their development as the plot itself.

Also featuring Alia Shawkat, Aubrey Plaza, Frank Langella, and others, The Driftless Area is a feast for aficionados of unconventional narratives. Distinctive direction by Zachary Sluser aptly complements the overarching style of the film.

However, for all its artistic and narrative beauty, The Driftless Area won't be everyone's cup of tea. It's a film that requires its audience to pay close attention, think deeply, and connect with the ethereal undertones of its narrative thread. For those willing to embark on this movie journey, The Driftless Area indeed promises an unraveled mystery, an unworldly love, and an emotional, introspective trip that truly stands as a distinctive piece in modern cinema.