Stillwater

 

Stillwater is a crime drama starring Matt Damon and Abigail Breslin. It follows Bill, an unemployed oil-rig worker from Oklahoma, who travels to France to help his estranged daughter, Allison, who claims innocence to a murder she was convicted of committing.

Even though foreseeable in many parts, I thought that the writers did a good job giving us an interesting and unique plot. There were great themes around second chances, expanding your horizons, and it asks the question of what are you willing to sacrifice for family.

The casting was well done with strong character development. Matt Damon, really transformed into Bill Baker, a proper mid-western roughneck. The costumes, hair and accent were perfect. Seeing Baker’s evolution, while living abroad, outside of his comfort zone, was also something I'm glad was highlighted. Abigail Breslin who played Allison did well, but Lilou Siauvaud, who played Maya, was the most impressive. She was a young force with wide range, who had great chemistry with Damon.

Overall this was a well-made movie, that was suspenseful at times, and did a great job showcasing how even the most closed minded of people can change when they immerse themselves in other cultures and languages.