TIFF Review: ‘Montana Story’
Montana Story is a truly discreet drama feature that, with great depth and intimacy, digs into a particular relationship between two siblings linked by the same childhood. These siblings are so different from each other yet so similar and bounded by an extremely credible and deep brotherly love, similar also in the kind of life, an unsatisfactory, melancholy life where something is missing enough to bring both to return to their hometown in Montana when their father falls into a coma. Their relationship is one that has suffered from a distance that lasted several years but perhaps it is the only thing that can complete their life and that can make them move forward together.
Having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 11th September 2021, Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s feature film Montana Story seems to be postcard-perfect, a lesson straight out of the set of traditional indie dramas. Nevertheless, the wonderful thing about this movie is that it takes what seems like a story viewers have heard already (at least in bits and pieces) and still moves them deeply. It speaks about bonding in a way that most movies miss by speaking in cliché or overshoot by adding in numerous complications to dramatize things. There have been other great movies to comment on sibling relationships in recent years, but this movie fills a need that those other movies miss: the need for a straightforward, sweep-you-off-your-feet drama. Audiences who are cynical about dreamy indie films may find themselves rolling their eyes, but Montana Story does end up achieving its ultimate goal: making the viewer feel a lot of emotions.
One of the biggest surprises of the film is precisely the interpretations of the two protagonists, Owen Teague who proves to be unexpectedly talented even in emotionally challenged roles and an extraordinary Haley Lu Richardson who represents the soul of the film thanks to her performance in perfect harmony with its charismatic and complex character. What is missing from the film is a more incisive personality and a better beat and amalgamated rhythm that would have helped especially to make it more engaging and less heavy, in any case manages to convey a variety of emotions thanks to many scenes that audiences will hardly forget because of their really strong emotional impact. The film is also supported by breathtaking cinematography and camerawork, which are the standout besides sublime acting.
Montana Story is a heartfelt and honest film about family, and one that’s also hopeful and full of love – something that community always needs. While most other indie dramas nowadays are purely about the complications of relationships, this one is about the characters and how they adjust their lives according to circumstances. It offers a comforting embrace and escape, filling up emptiness with warmth in the form of wide-open space. – Nabeel Zaman
Montana Story premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2021.