The Levelling

The Levelling is a haunting, poignant British drama film from 2016 written and directed by Hope Dickson Leach, featuring standout performances from a cast led by Ellie Kendrick, along with David Troughton and Jack Holden. The indelible contrasts of rustic beauty and harsh realities of farm life are explored deeply in this movie, imprinted with realism and aching emotion.

Ellie Kendrick, best known for her work on Game of Thrones, delivers a captivating performance in the lead role, crafting a layered, nuanced portrait of a young woman grappling with emotional turmoil. She plays Clover, a trainee veterinarian who returns to her familial farm in Somerset after learning about her younger brother's sudden, unexplained death. A dichotomy of emotions runs through Clover – raw mournfulness over the loss of her sibling, clashing with simmering resentment and discontent towards her estranged father.

David Troughton gives a stirring performance as Aubrey, Clover's gruff and uncompromising father. His obstinate isolation has aggrandized since the breakup of their family after Clover's mother walked out on them. Aubrey, too, is battling with the loss of his son, but his brand of grief is destructive – a growing detachment from reality that creates tense crosscurrents of frustration and sorrow throughout the film.

Jack Holden rounds out the main cast as Clover's late brother, Harry. Presented in Clover's memories and flashbacks we get a glimpse of the loveable, free-spirited, yet troubled soul. This is a young man crushed by the weight of his father's expectations and the constraints of a lifestyle he hadn’t chosen.

The Levelling delves deep into the intricacies of complex family relationships, grief, and blame while being set against the backdrop of the Great British countryside. This backdrop is more than a mere setting, it plays a critical role in shaping the narrative, the characters, and the very tone of the movie. The landscape, devastated by the recent floods, appears almost apocalyptic. It’s an apt metaphor for the somber emotional climate that permeates the film. The rural setting and stark cinematography evoke a haunting, at times claustrophobic atmosphere that provides a tangible sense of place.

Hope Dickson Leach's script and direction imbue the film with an affecting melancholy that resonates emotionally without veering into sentimentality. Exploring complex themes such as guilt, regret, and the struggle to communicate, The Levelling handles its weighty subject matter with maturity and emotional intelligence, setting a slow-burning, contemplative pace that allows the narrative and performances to breathe.

While this isn't a story about the simultaneous rejuvenation and demise of farming, it's hard to ignore. The Levelling explores the realities and hardships of rural living, laying bare the harsh truths of farming life. The uncompromising, relentless, often heartbreaking work that it involves and the apparent tragedy of a generation caught in-between the old and the new, tradition and change.

The film is lean, and every scene, every line of dialogue feels essential. The movie's true mastery is in its subtlety, its hesitations, its silences, and in the unspoken words hanging in the air between characters. It paints an absorbing picture of rural life and a family in turmoil, conveyed through brilliant performances and exquisite cinematography.

Above all else, The Levelling is a perfectly paced and beautifully nuanced study of familial miscommunication and the power of unexpressed emotions. It captures the essence of a strained father-daughter relationship, binding the audience to the experience as Clover seeks acceptance, apology, and answers. It’s an exploration of sorrow, blame, and ultimately, forgiveness.

In conclusion, The Levelling stands as a noteworthy debut for Hope Dickson Leach. Bolstered by captivating performances and a potent emotional core, this film weaves a riveting tapestry of profound, raw human emotion within the bleak realities of rural life. This compelling drama about a family shattered by unspeakable tragedy is a powerful exploration of grief, guilt, and forgiveness.