FILM INFO: Far From the Tree is the story of a strained relationship between a mother and her teenage son, as she struggles to come to terms with a sexual assault from her past.
WRITTEN BY: David B Kear, additional writing by Dave Thomas DIRECTED BY: Dave Thomas GENRE: Drama TIME: 17 minutes.
By no means is this a new tale. Stories of rape have been around since long before we were graced with a magic lens, and a video editor to tell them. Written works have been bringing the subject front and center since the start of written languages; before that, stories of this nature were told by elders around a crackling fire. In this respect, "Far From The Tree" is just as you imagine it to be. Another story revolving around rape. The reason writers and filmmakers continue to pull on these dead, tired strings is usually simple. A dramatic story you almost know is going to hit home. Rape is a word that gives most people a shiver. Man or woman. So why not spin a fiction? The odds of it being effective are already stacked in your favor? However, "Far From The Tree" from writer David B Kear, goes one step further. A child conceived. It's easy for many to simply say they would have it aborted, or give it up to another loving family. The reality, I imagine, is quite a bit harder. No matter the situation a child is still a piece of the woman who gave birth. Still her daughter or son. No matter the why. It's a choice that changes your life no matter what decision is made. Rightfully so. So here we are today, with this film. Single Mother raising a normal, healthy teenager as best she can. Everything seems to be alright until with the drop of an apple, things change. We, the viewers are slowly brought up to speed on the reality of a family dynamic that was never actually quite right. "Far From The Tree" is not a story of abuse or neglect, or even of rape aside from the subject being used as a plot device; this story is more focused on the attempt at normality I can only imagine some people must try and maintain. Every single day. It's easy to understand that the brain can say one thing, and the heart another. Right? Abbie, our leading lady has battled her feelings long into the teenage years of her rape conceived son. Trying to do everything right, keeping her feelings of disgust, hurt and betrayal at bay. Like most things in life however, her son knows things are not totally as they seem. In the flick, her son Evan already knows the details surrounding his birth and it's made clear, indirectly clear, that him and his Mother have been dancing around this issue for a long time. Never quite having a true conversation about it, but having it always close to the surface. It's easy to imagine that as he, Evan, grew up, the situation slowly became worse. As he began taking on the physical, and maybe even the personality related traits of his Father. Then, as if on queue, the Father himself reappears in the lives of the two... ripping apart the fragile string that bound the family together. The beauty of this film is not so much the familiar story, rather the way it unfolds. Most of us, including myself, will have no problem empathizing with Abbie and Evan. When it's all said and done however, don't be surprised to feel a pang or sorrow for the Father as well. Some mistakes just can't be forgiven, no matter how much you regret them and oh, how you wish things were different. Some things you simply can't come back from. This is the underlying story of this film. Speaking of the production technicalities, this really is a great running movie. One of the very few times writing about indie film, that I truly have nothing to complain about. Direction, pacing, cinematography and acting are all top notch. "Far From The Tree" could be playing on your television right now and you'd never guess it was an indie. Production and post work, written simply... excellent job all around. There's really something special about any film, independent, low budget or studio, that manages to tell a well known story and still make it it's own. A child of rape, although not used as much in current day fiction, is still not a fresh idea. Yet in this particular film, it feels like it is. Maybe the entertainment lies in the fact we have heard this tale before. It's already familiar. All it takes is some good production work and a great cast to bring our feelings, whatever they may be, back to the surface. It's just so easy to imagine what these characters must be going through. It's easy to fall into the story itself. The one stand out element for me however, was with the ending. It's pretty open. You, the viewer, are left to decide what happens next. The cast and crew expertly bring the problems to light... but now what? "Far From The Tree" doesn't attempt to force feed you a conclusion. That is up to you, the viewer. It's a perfect ending for such a dramatic well done title.
