The Weight Movie Review

This is Padraic McKinley’s, known for producing such hit series as “The Loudest Voice” and “Ghosts of Beirut,” directorial debut. It’s a fictional crime/thriller that takes place during the depression era, taking place in Eugene Oregon, in 1933. It focuses on a widower named Murphy, played by Ethan Hawke. I’ll say now that this is some of the best work I’ve seen from him. ​

Murphy has a young daughter named Penny (Avy Berry) to watch over. He loves her very much, and she could most likely outwit him if she were a bit older. There’s no getting anything by her. She’s wise in the ways of bamboozling people, a trait she no doubt picked up from watching him.

He’s a mechanic by trade, but can’t get work before he and Penny are evicted from their apartment. Looking for another place to stay and some honest work only gets him into some trouble. Not long into the film, he’s hauled off to a prison work camp and she, an orphanage. Young Avy Berry’s Penny will pull on your heartstrings when she and her father are pulled away from one another. He promises they’ll be reunited.

The warden of the prison is Clancy, played by Russell Crowe. He warms to Murphy right away after noticing he’s not only intelligent enough to know how to work people and figure things out that most can’t. Murphy has skills in another area where he needs him. Clancy has a car that needs to be fixed. When he finds out about Penny, he offers Murphy a deal. He can have an early release and get to be with his child if he and some other prisoners are willing to smuggle some gold from a mine for him. He and a few others would have to trek through the unforgiving woods, no easy feat, with the weight of several very heavy gold bars on their backs. The terrain isn’t friendly or helpful, but who’d say no to this deal?

The movie is rather sluggish, especially in the beginning. When they’re on their way to get the gold from point A to point B, it picks up, especially when they get to a rope bridge that they have no choice but use. Of course, it hangs high over water. They can’t lose not a ONE bar, or they’re dead. The scene sets your nerves on edge. It is what will save a rather slow-moving tale. Seeing what Murphy is capable of to get his child and helping others along the way is impressive. He’s a good man to root for, especially when they run into a man who’s about to cause some problems for them.

This is a straightforward story, but once it gets going, it’s worth giving it your time. It’s about teamwork and knowing when you have to count on others, not do everything yourself. Julia Jones, who has an important role as the only female on the journey, could have been given a bigger role, but when she does show up, you can’t forget her. She’s so important to them and to the storyline. Crowe also doesn’t have much screentime, but he’s memorable, as well.

The cinematography is gorgeous, and you’re easily transported to the era it’s set in. The editing is stunning, most likely since that’s where Padraic McKinley’s background lies. As I mentioned, it does drag, taking about forty-five minutes to get you to stop looking at your watch. The story isn’t bad, but had the pacing been better, I’d suggest this is a theater watch. As it is, wait for streaming.