Film and TV Reviews

Friday 29 January 2016

Night Moves (Film Review) 2014

Night Moves (Film Review)


Night Moves is a 2014 film directed by Kelly Reichardt, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, and Peter Sarsgaard.

The story follows a group of radical environmentalists. Dakota Fanning (Dena) plays the less experienced radical of the group, while Peter Sarsgaard (Harmon) plays the group leader. Jesse Eisenberg (Josh) has just introduced Dena to the group, and has gone into detail of Josh and Harmon's plans to blow up a city dam, as he believes people's need for electricity shouldn't be prioritized over the lives of animals and their habitats. Harmon doubts Dena's sincerity, but Josh convinces him to allow her entrance into their group.

The majority of the film focuses on the journey to destroying the dam. Suspense is built through the use of subtle music and tight shots. All of the actors in the film are very sincere and there is no over-dramatisation. The cinematography is great, the shots, especially around the lake at night-time look brilliant. All of the actors' performances are great, especially Oscar Nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network). 

It's downfall is pacing. It is not free of filler, and the pacing seems slightly uneven. Many sequences are quite monotonous, although these add great realism and grit to the film. I wouldn't say the movie is exciting throughout, but it is definitely filled with some very tense scenes and beautiful cinematography.

I give this film 7.5/10.

Night Moves won a Black Pearl Award and Grand Special Prize.

Rated 15, runtime 112 minutes.



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