Increasingly rare is a period piece set during the 1950’s a sombre one – yet there’s not a lot of overflowing joy in the dramatic thriller, ‘Let Him Go’. Adapted from Larry Watson’s 2013 novel, this is gritty offering, part pulp novel-style piece, part old fashioned western showdown. Not a lot of bells and whistles are required, and that doesn’t make it any less engaging.
Kevin Costner and Diane Lane, teamed on screen once before as Superman’s adopted parents in ‘Man Of Steel’ (and subsequent sequels), star as Margaret and George Blackledge in ‘Let Him Go’. The set-up for their grief is relayed in rapid fire sequences; their son suffers a horrific accident near the family farm, leaving a widow and baby behind. That’s followed by an uncomfortable wedding, probably due to the fact that their grandson’s new stepfather (Will Brittain) seems to think there’s nothing wrong with a public backhand to his wife (Kayli Carter). Not a good dude. It isn’t long before the young family all but disappears.
That Margaret and George will eventually go looking to bring their grandson home is a given. What’s surprising, going against the grain and a definitely refreshing thread to avoid predictability, is that it’s Margaret’s push to do so; as George is a retired sheriff, it’s almost expected that he’d chair the rescue mission. Instead, Costner’s character is the quiet voice of reason. ‘Course, when you run into the menacing group of individuals like they do in the North Dakota badlands, led by Lesley Manville’s campy-but-effectively creepy performance as the wicked stepmother…..well, a man can only take so many intimidating, veiled threats. When push comes to shove, Costner has the experienced edge to push back pretty darn well.
Directed by Thomas Bezucha, who does such a remarkable job of building the tension and dread through dialogue and performance, it’s a shade disappointing that ‘Let Him Go’ gets as out of hand as it does. But don’t let the fourth quarter fireworks erase what is accomplished beforehand. Costner and Lane especially give this picture the required emotional weight it deserves, for the whole point OF it isn’t necessarily revenge…..it’s grief (thus, the title). ‘Let Him Go’ is a very smart, very poignant motion picture. Just don’t expect it to tickle.
