Film Review: MONTANA STORY (2021): A Complex, Deep Drama That is Well Acted Though It Feels a Bit Overlong

Montana Story Review

Montana Story (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, written by Scott McGehee, David Siegel and Mike Spreter and starring Haley Lu Richardson, Owen Teague, Gilbert Owuor, Kimberly Guerrero, Eugene Brave Rock, Asivak Koostachin and Kate Britton.

When Montana Story opens, it’s very unclear where the movie will ultimately be headed. This film introduces the story of a man who is in a coma. We learn there is very little likelihood that he will wake up. There are severe financial problems that the son of this man (who was a rancher) is trying to juggle. Cal (Owen Teague) is the son and he’s trying to sell off a Lexus and do whatever needs to be done to get the money to make ends meet during this difficult time. It’s a pretty bleak beginning and the movie doesn’t get much happier as it progresses. However, there are moments of beauty in the movie thanks to the cinematography and the performances of Teague and Haley Lu Richardson which make the dramatic film worthwhile even if it could have been trimmed a bit in the editing room.

A character-driven movie like Montana Story could have benefited from some more comic relief. Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel add just a little humor here and given the heaviness of the topics that are addressed in the film, perhaps a dash of more occasional light humor may have brightened the picture up a bit. Since it’s not humor that brightens the movie, it’s the presence of a key character in the film that piques viewer curiosity and reels the audience in. It’s the arrival of Cal’s distant sister Erin (Richardson) that keeps the viewer immersed in the deep drama which is always on full display in the film.

Erin left home for a very specific reason, and it is learned that she is now a cook in Upstate New York. Montana is still in her blood, though, especially when one considers the bond that she has to a horse on the ranch named Mr. T which is as old as she is. Cal thinks it is best to kill the horse while Erin ultimately decides that she should take it back with her to New York. Ultimately, Cal and Erin decide to enlist the help of a man named Mukki (Eugene Brave Rock) who has a pick-up truck that could help Erin get Mr. T to New York.

In the interim, we have learned from a conversation between Cal and his father’s nurse, Ace (Gilbert Owuor), that a violent incident occurred with their dad that had caused Cal and Erin to become distant. As the film progresses, Cal and Erin end up bonding and re-discovering the power of their relationship as siblings. One scene that stands out comes when Erin discusses the circles of Hell from Dante’s Inferno. This sequence in the movie helps reveal Erin’s intelligence and is wonderfully executed. This part even ends with one of the only jokes in the movie when Erin reveals where she learned about Dante’s work. Erin has been through a lot and this section of the movie helps her come to terms with some harsh realities in a way which is clever and unique.

Owen Teague and Haley Lu Richardson create a very believable bond between their brother and sister characters in the movie. While the ending is extremely heavy as a lightning storm hits that causes a power outage, it is well done and believable. This storm could severely affect Cal and Erin’s father since he is currently on life supporting machines. This film’s resolve is deeply moving and disturbing, simultaneously.

When Erin cooks up a freshly made chicken dinner for her brother and her father’s male nurse, Richardson excels in her role. Erin’s character development is always richly detailed in the movie. Richardson gives her part true subtext through her mannerisms and doesn’t falter at all. Richardson has never been better than in her work in this film, but it is Teague who surprises as he quietly matches her performance as the film progresses. Teague delivers some dialogue which could have had less power in the hands of a less capable actor. Also noteworthy are some of the picturesque longshots of Montana complete with horses that help make for true cinematic beauty.

Montana Story will move the audience to tears with a closing scene between Teague and Richardson which is set outside an airport. This film could have, however, used some flashback scenes to make us more aware of the siblings’ dad’s flaws and his rather evil tendencies. While it’s not a great film, Montana Story manages to surprisingly sneak up on viewers by the end and leaves an impact on the audience that will definitely have viewers with more than a few tears in their eyes. It’s a very good film.

Rating: 8/10

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