THE WEIGHT
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe, Julia Jones, Austin Ameilo, Avi Nash, Lucas Lynggard Tønnesen, George Burgess, Cameron Brady, Avy Berry, Alec Newman, and Sam Hazeldine
Director: Padraic McKinley
ADRIANO
Is there such a thing as “too dad” of a movie?” The Weight argues that there isn’t. Because this is a dad movie if there ever was one, and I, not a dad, enjoyed it. It offers nothing beyond the surface, but it also doesn’t pretend to. It’s a gripping film with plenty of effective use of the genres it plays with, has an excellent Ethan Hawke performance, and Padraic McKinley’s direction has some interesting stylistic choices. Is the story something we haven’t seen before? No. But it’s well told. And you know what? That might be enough.
NICK
With its grounded and almost western vibe, I really enjoyed The Weight. Bound to be pegged as a quintessential “dad movie,” this journey through the wilderness kept me engaged thanks to the sure-handed direction of Padraic McKinley and the performances throughout the film. Ethan Hawke will get most of the acclaim (rightfully so), but I thought the entire ensemble (including a menacing Russell Crowe) did their jobs in making this story feel both believable and of its time. If we were still in the heyday of cable, reruns of The Weight would be in heavy rotation and I wouldn’t complain about that one bit.
ROBERT
I imagine the dream for a filmmaker would be to construct a layered film with a message that stimulates all aspects of a moviegoer’s brain. However, if you craft a simplistic story entertainingly, that must be almost as satisfying. The Weight is just about a group of people moving gold from one place to another, but it also is a Depression piece and a survival picture, so while the core plot is straightforward, the thematic elements are expansive. There are entrancing camera shots and placements, stylistic transitions, and lingering moments focused on facial expressions and conversations; it is real 1970s-era filmmaking that makes this…weighty.
QUENTIN
Although The Weight has a certain throwback charm, an appropriate Depression-era patina, and Ethan Hawke doing typically great things, the story lacks the tension and palpable stakes amongst the chaotically claustrophobic direction to make it anything more than a passing diversion. It’s the type of movie that would have been in heavy rotation on TNT in the 90s, resulting in a large audience of people who took moderate enjoyment from it without ever raving about it. It’s perfectly cromulent and inoffensive in that way. I suppose one could say they don’t make movies like this anymore, but that’s not necessarily a compliment.
BODE
Every generation deserves its own Wages of Fear, as long as the homage is worthy. I think The Weight makes its case pretty convincingly. Playing almost like the Depression-era version of that movie, first-time feature director Padraic McKinley stages this very perilous journey with capable force and some surprising amounts of style. Its set pieces (especially one involving a bridge) are solidly mounted, and it’s got a solid ensemble (led by the always reliable Ethan Hawke) to sell the desperation that builds over time. Your dad will probably like this, and I mean that as a compliment.
