Stillwater – movie review

Adults wanting relief from a summer movie slate that has so far consisted of reboots, remakes, endless sequels and family films should be glad to see this weekend’s offerings which include the drama/thriller Stillwater.

From director Tom McCarthy (Spotlight) the film stars Matt Damon and the not-so-little and not-so-sunshiny Abigail Breslin in an original, if uneven thriller that spins in unexpected directions, even if it does take awhile to get there.

Damon stars as Bill Baker, a working class man living in the Oklahoma title town struggling with under-employment, alcoholism, a criminal past, family estrangement all while his daughter Allison (Breslin) languishes in a French prison for a murder she may (or may not) be innocent of. This premise of an American college student stuck in a European judicial system, a victim of media sensationalism is no doubt reminiscent of the Amanda Knox case but the film just uses this setup as starting point to explore ideas like family, truth and the lengths to which will bend the latter to protect the former.

Damon has been slogging over to France for years visiting his daughter, who has always maintained her innocence. On this visit she hands him a letter to give to her and only her lawyer. He learns that the letter points to potentially new evidence that can clear his daughter but the lead is just too flimsy and the lawyer is unwilling to look into the case again. Bill was never the best father to Allison so perhaps he sees a chance to make it up to her when he decides to stay in France and investigate the lead himself.

“I’m a dumbass,” Bill says and he certainly fits the part of “dumb American” as he cluelessly stomps through France ignorant of the language and customs. He sticks out like a sore thumb in his long-sleeved plaid shirts tucked into his tight jeans with dirty cap and big sunglasses. As he says he would’ve voted for Trump but felons can’t vote. Luckily he befriends a local, Virginie and her young daughter Maya who are soon consumed with helping Bill on his quest.

At the one-hour mark the film takes a turn and then another in the third act. At nearly 2.5 hours the film does take awhile to get there and it may not all quite work but the film is definitely worth the trip. Matt Damon is a standout as the anti-Bourne as is the young Lilou Siavaud as Maya. The film is part thriller, part family drama and filled with some great twists and turns, secrets and lies that will leave you guessing till the very end. A good antidote to the retreads and remakes currently on tap at theaters.