Before watching Prince Avalanche I had no pre-conceptions, which is always a bonus when finding a new film, it allows true enjoyment for what the film is not just its reputation. The opening is full of long, wide scenery shots; it creates a location of natural beauty and a sense of nothingness. These beautiful shots of the sun rising and setting, vast landscapes of trees and long winding roads remain a big part of the film throughout. However the extensive scenery shots do add time to the film and this is felt in parts, the pace of the narrative is also not increased by the highly character centric narrative.
The film is elegantly made, with a true indie style, there is a beautiful shot of Paul Rudd (Alvin) surrounded by trees lined with blue cutting marks and then an overlay of blue words. There are also montages of dancing and singing, with distorted and disconnected sound, adding a further level of artistic filming, rarely seen in a blockbuster.
The film is centralised around the blossoming relationship between a road painter, and his girlfriend’s brother, who he has hired to provide him with some life experience and a job. Here Paul Rudd is taking a break from the more generic Hollywood comedies and romances, to show a more serious side. This however, is not a seamless transition. There are parts of the film that feel over-acted and mildly uncomfortable, the off-the-cuff scene with the old lady in the woods highlights this, as she is not an actor but a real person who the filming crew stumbled upon and decided to include. Her realism due to the truth behind her story contradicts Paul Rudd’s reactive characterisation. His acting feels unnatural and forced, showing the improvisation clearly for what it is.
Emile Hirsch’s character (Lance) is more connected to the story, but this is not an unusual role for him; his character Lance has elements of previous characters such as in “Into the Wild”.
Due to the fact that most of the other characters are real people, going about their real lives, this perhaps creates a sense of hyperbole within the main characters. Although, this does not distract from the connection and enjoyment of watching the brotherly relationship unfold.
Despite the exaggerations, there are truly humorous and comedic moments within the film that add character and charm; truly warming the soul. It is refreshing and gives the film a loveable, and more human nature to it. It may not be laugh out loud funny, but it enables the audience to connect in a more natural way, by touching on human nature.
There are also confusing parts such as the character of the old lady, she reappears towards to end of the film, suggesting and ethereal and ghost-like presence. These moments seem cryptic, but it does create an extra layer of interest in the film, and gives it more of a reason to be remembered.
Prince Avalanche is an elevating film; a tale of two men connecting and sharing their experiences and how it has shaped them. The look of the film is scenic and artistic, the locations being a highlight. It may not leave you wanting to watch it over and over again, but the warmth, humour and beauty give it a reason to be watched.
6/10
Image: https://mediaverse.plex.tv/movie/prince-avalanche
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