East of Wall Movie Review

This is a Docufiction, a genre that blends documentary and fictional filmmaking to create a story that feels both real and staged. ​

“East of Wall” was filmed on location in South Dakota, mainly using unprofessional actors. Knowing that going in, I looked for it, but it wasn’t always easy to see. Props to the director in that respect!

It was filmed on a ranch known as the “Badlands.” It’s owned by Tabatha Zimiga, a woman who recently lost her husband. She has several children and has taken some in, as well. She helps those in need, to perhaps fill a need within herself for help. It’s somewhat obvious because she welcomes more into her home than it can hold, though she doesn’t see that. Tabatha wants and needs to spread love to children, to animals, and especially to horses. She has more acres than she alone can handle, so everyone does their part and manages to make things work. Her mother, Tracey, played beautifully by unrecognizable Jennifer Ehle (Zero Dark Thirty, Pride and Prejudice), has a neck as red as you’ve ever seen.

She loves her daughter and makes sure that when people come calling, their intentions are good.

Tracey has doubts about who Roy is. Roy, played by Scoot McNairy (Argo, A Complete Unknown), sniffs around, hoping to make a considerable investment for himself. Great for all of them, honestly, but can he convince them of that? Great casting choices with these two. McNairy and Ehle add to the narrative while pulling out of the inexperienced, better scenes, making the film much more than what it would have been had they not been involved.

Director Kate Beecroft uses narration from the book this is based on to start the film and peppers it throughout, which brings you into the lives of these individuals more clearly. The passages chosen will make you want to read the book to see if she got the story right. The description of the Badlands was good enough for me.  

The movie was chaotic at times. This is Beecroft’s first feature, so she’ll improve by tightening up the script. The way it divides its time up between Tabatha and Porshia (Porshia Zimiga) and makes their introductions could have been set up better. Once you get to know who everyone is and their place in the story, which isn’t always easy to follow, it becomes clearer. Friends, family by blood, and those who just hang around make more sense. But it’s worth giving your time to see what this woman is willing and capable of. People take advantage of her kindness, but she’s aware of that and knows that if she has nothing else to offer the world, she’ll be used for what she has to give.

She and Porshia have some issues, but once Porshia feels she’s needed, too, they’re on the mend. Tabatha needs to understand that by giving up some control and trusting people, she can achieve her goals and see all her hard work come to fruition.