Film Review: Deep Two Character Drama Flavors ‘Prince Avalanche’

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Average: 5 (1 vote)

CHICAGO – Take actors Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch, make them highway line painters, put them in a fire-ravaged woodland and the makings for a savory two character portrait is realized in “Prince Avalanche.” David Gordon Green adapted and directed this appealingly offbeat art film.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

The weird story is given oxygen through Rudd and Hirsch, who have a vital yet frustrating chemistry through the film’s journey. They both seek redemption, but they refuse to go in the proper direction towards that absolution. They are absolutely oil and water, and must live together through a monotonous existence of painting highway lines and driving each other crazy. The film also has symbolic shades of the stage play “Waiting for Godot” and the film “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” and uses devices such as two old people in mysterious and enigmatic ways.

Alvin (Paul Rudd) has stuck his neck out for his girlfriend’s brother Lance (Emile Hirsch) by getting him a state job painting highway lines on a remote road, circa 1980s. The atmosphere around them is a fire ravaged woodland just recovering from its devastation. There only human contact is a lovable old coot (Lance LeGault), who feeds them moonshine and unlikely rhetoric.

Lance is a constantly horny man, while Alvin revels in his monogamy to Lance’s sister. Lance finally capitulates to his randiness and goes into town, the result of which causes an explosion in the men’s relationship. It will take cooperation, empathy and lots of moonshine to get them through their isolation, on the road to nowhere.

“Prince Avalanche” continues its limited release in Chicago on August 16th. Featuring Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch, Lance LeGault and Joyce Payne. Screenplay adapted and directed by David Gordon Green. Rated “R”

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Prince Avalanche”

Emile Hirsch, Paul Rudd
Lance (Emile Hirsch) and Alvin (Paul Rudd) are Highwaymen in ‘Prince Avalanche’
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Prince Avalanche”

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