Feature Film Review

Film Info:
When a family of travellers move to a rural town, conflict ensues amongst the locals. Stigmatised as 'gypsies', they
are not welcomed into the community.

Written By: David Campion
Directed By: David Campion
Genre: Drama
75 Minutes

IndyRed.com

WOODFALLS ( 2014 )

  A lot of Indie / low / no budget films tend to stick to simpler and more effective genres. Comedy or horror, Sci-Fi or experimental... you get the idea. I've always figured the reason was because it's really much simpler than trying to tackle real sensitive issues in a dramatic way. Don't get me wrong, making any kind of film is tough and the audacity to complete one should always be applauded. A good comedy however, is all about laughter or shock; or the scare value which is much more easily achieved than a straight up dramatic piece. In essence, we laugh or get freaked out more easily than with the deeper emotions. It's only natural to tackle those feelings when you really don't have a lot to work with. So after reading the description of Woodfalls I was a little skeptical on just how much the film would/could deliver. If anything, I knew writer/director David Campion has some balls; but that doesn't always translate well to screen. It takes much... much more. So, cutting through the rest of my rant let's just say that Woodfalls promises a lot working in a genre that's a tough one... and it also happens to deliver. The start of the film was a little shaky but after about 15 minutes it just get's better and better. This is one entertaining flick that should be raising a lot of eyeballs in the indie community. The drama is gritty and real without feeling scripted or hollow. The dramatic issues are presented straight up and sometimes raunchy. Woodfalls finishes up being well done indeed and I was glad to have got to watch it.
  Technically, the first 15 minutes or so showcased the roughest elements of the film. The camera work, simply put was really off-beat. I completely understand the concept of hand-held shaky shots as a metaphor for fast paced action; it doesn't always work though, especially when it does nothing but getting the viewer dizzy. In the world of Indie films, the first 10 minutes usually dictates if a viewer bothers to continue the film and in this case, the first bit is tough. At some point in that time frame though, Woodfalls get's better and continues to do-so throughout the movie. We do still have some shaky lensing within the film but not like in the start. As Woodfalls progresses everything just seems to fall into place as it get's better and better dramatically.
  Aside from a few minor instances of hollow dialog here and there, the talent does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life in a real way. I don't know how else to describe the acting in this flick except to say spot on for the most part. Like I wrote above, true drama is tough and the cast showcase their talents in a brilliant way. Thumbs up!
  Woodfalls is a gritty and real dramatic film. No punches are pulled and the sometimes shocking surprises that await simply make this a better film. The good writing and fast pace will hook straight through to the bitter end. How does the film end? You're just going to have to watch to find out for yourself but one things for sure... Woodfalls is not time wasted.
-MC

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