Full Article Text
ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA COMEDY MUSIC TV CELEBRITY KIDS MOVIEFONE
Michael Giltz
Freelance writer and raconteur
GET UPDATES FROM MICHAEL GILTZ
Follow
Movies , Kelly Reichardt , Meeks Cutoff , Michelle Williams , Meeks' Cutoff , Michelle
Williams Meeks Cutoff , Westerns , Entertainment News
2
91
1
3React
Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird CrazyHuffPost Review: Meeks' Cutoff
MEEK'S CUTOFF *** 1/2 out of ****
Opening day in limited release
Director Kelly Reichardt gets better and better with
every film, and here she fulfills the promise of Old Joy
and Wendy & Lucy . The latter starred Michelle Williams
as a woman who lost her dog; her central rivetingperformance kept the slight story afloat.
Here, Williams is part of a marvelous ensemble, and
while the plot comes fast and furious, it's presented in alow-key, ambiguous manner that suits Reichardt to a"t." In this Western set during the 1800s, three families
are headed west with their guide Meek (Bruce
Greenwood). Meek is either lost or being urged by residents of the Territory they're headed for to steer
newcomers away to a certain death. (Too many Americans might turn the Territory over to the U.S. in avote, something certain independent settlers want to avoid.) Meeks may be clueless or cruel but theyundoubtedly need water. The capturing of a "savage" gives them a chance to ignore Meeks and use thisman to save them.
MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOST 1 of 2
WATCH: Two New Yorkers
Take A Taxi To Los Angeles
9/11 Responders Warned
They Will Be Screened For
Terrorism Ties (EXCLUSIVE)
Poll Shows One Potential
Presidential Hopeful InFOLLOW USBIG NEWS: Celebrities | Britney Spears | LeAnn Rimes | Lindsay Lohan | Personal Finance | More...
PHOTOS: The
Funniest People
Not On TwitterMiranda Kerr &
Orlando Bloom
Step Out To 'The
The Funniest
Someecards For
Easter 2011Weekly Roundup of
eBay Vintage
Clothing Finds
News Web
Like 276K April 24, 2011 | Log In | Sign Up
Get Alerts
Like 1
Posted: 04/ 8/11 03:02 AM ET
SHARE THIS STORY
Submit this story
Get Entertainment Alerts
Sign UpPHOTO GALLERIES
Like 2K
Like 20K
FRONT
PAGEPOLITICS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TECH COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD FOOD LIVING IMPACT EDU LOCAL
There you go. That it's, all delivered in an open-ended manner sure to frustrate general audiences. But
what a cast Meek's Cutoff offers. Paul Dano is wonderful as a weak-willed man who only seems strong
compared to his hysterical wife (Zoe Kazan), a woman who sees Indians lurking behind every tree. The
inestimable Shirley Henderson is wittily on target as a woman constantly keeping an eye on her
wandering son and a husband who refuses water when it's scarce (to all of their detriment). Greenwood
is wonderfully offbeat as the guide, and Will Patton is a rock of common sense as the husband of
Williams, though their relationship is a little tense. (She's his second wife, and he seems uncertain about
this woman with opinions.)
Without a hint of modernism, Williams creates a strong, fascinating character who insists on seeing the
captured "savage" (Rod Rondeaux) as a man and not just an object of scorn or even pity. Exceptionallywell-acted, quiet and observant, Meek's Cutoff is pure arthouse fare, which is meant as a warning for
those who might want, you know, a little action or some answers, and as praise for a talented directorcoming into her own.
*****
Thanks for reading. Michael Giltz is the cohost of Showbiz Sandbox, a weekly pop culture podcast that
reveals the industry take on entertainment news of the day and features top journalists and opinionmakers as guests. It's available free on iTunes. Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog.
Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his radio show, also called Popsurfing and alsoavailable for free on iTunes. Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and
reviews .
Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz
Related News On Huffington Post:
'Meek's Cutoff': Michelle Williams Gets Cartooned In Poster
For a cartoon, this isn't very joyous. But then, Michelle Williams is a seriousactress. The Oscar-nominated actress stars in the upcoming film "Meek's
Crossing,"...
Striking Distance Of Obama
Shelterpop: Unplugging
Appliances: Do I REALLY
Have to Do This?
Popeater: Brad and
Angelina's Strict Nanny
Requirements
Noam Chomsky Is the World
Too Big to Fail? The
Contours of Global Order
The Real Reason You're Not
Married (And What To Do
About It)
AOL Real Estate: Prince
William and Kate to Live in
Royal Mansion
TV Squad: Maria Menounos
Relives Her Paparazzi
'Wardrobe Malfunction' on
'Lopez' (VIDEO)
DON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS 1 of 5
Sam Waterston
Saving Easter Island’s Marine
Ecosystems
David O. Russell
FDR Said it All in 1936 -- Who Will
Follow in His Steps Today?
More Celebrity News at People.com
Like 1K
Like 1K
Like 1K
Like 3K
Like 197
Like 57
Like 53
Lindsay Lohan Is 'Angry'
About Jail Sentence
READ MORE
Antoine Dodson Arrested
READ MORE
Stefano Langone RevealsHis Relationship Status
READ MORE
Royal Wedding Guest List
'The Hangover 2'
Trailers: New TV
Spots...
Tom Cruise To Play
Cheating Politician
In...
'The Greatest Movie
Ever Sold': Morgan
Spurlock...
Lindsay Lohan
Quickly Released
From Jail After...
Comments 3 Pending Comments 0View FAQ
More in Entertainment...
Buy a link here Sponsored Links
SHOCKING: 46" LCD TVs for $54.09
Today ONLY: Unique site sells 46" LCD TVs for up to 98% off retail price.
SmartStyleLiving.com
Mom Is 55, Looks 30...
Her clever $5 wrinkle therapy angers Botox Doctors. Find Out How!
FDXNews8.com
SHOCKING: Apple iPad 2 for $12!
Auction site to give away 1,000+ iPad 2s for $11.96 EACH!
NewsChannel7.com
Trade Free for 60 Days.
Plus get up to $500. Apply at E*TRADE Securities.
www.etrade.com/tradefree
TOP VIDEO PICKS 1 of 10
Lindsay Lohan Back in the
Slammer
Beckhams In, Obamas Outat Royal Wedding
Olsen's Wacky Fur Outfit
MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW 1 of 2
HOT ON FACEBOOK 1 of 3
HOT ON TWITTER 1 of 2
Recency | Popularity
More Celebrity News at Popeater.com
Watch2FreeMovie Meeks Cutoff : TOP Quality-part 1 of 12: movie, Meeks Cutoff
full movie, new releases, free movies, Meeks Cutoff ... http://bit.ly/fK1i1X
4 hours ago from twitterfeed
ThePimpShack New Download: Meek's Cutoff (Music from the Motion Picture) -
Jeff Grace http://www.thepimpshack....
5 hours ago from The Pimp Shack
Login or connect with:
More Login Options
Post to Facebook.
Post to Blogger.
Post to Twitter.
Post to WordPress.
Post to TypePad.
Post to Tumblr.To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the
comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly
underneath the comment you replied to.
Share your Comment:
Post Comment
Preview Comment
View All
Revealed: Who's Going?
'Bed Intruder' Star Antoine
Dodson Arrested
Paul Reiser's New Show
Yanked After Two Weeks
Viral Star Antoine Dodson
ARRESTED
Melania Talks Obama's
Birth Certificate, First
Lady Possibility
Gwyneth Paltrow Is Right.
We're All Jealous. (Of Her
and George W. Bush.)
Like 4K
Tyler Perry To Spike Lee:
'Go Straight To Hell'
Like 11K
mayhemstudios
RT @sbeasla : What happens when
you tickle a little penguin?
http://j.mp/dEZjCM via
@huffingtonpost
twsuccess
Antoine Dodson Arrested For
Marijuana Possession
http://huff.to/edLaIo
2 Fans
170 Fans
78 FansMichelle Williams has been a favorite of mine since Me without you.Her performanc es in Land of
plenty, Wendy and Lucy or Blue Valentine are riveting (I would have given her the Oscar!!).
So I won't miss this new collaborat ion with Kelly Reichardt. It looks promising.
Even the poster for this movie is excellent.
I hadn't seen the poster but checked it out thanks to your recommenda tion. It is indeed
very cool.
Buy a link here Sponsored Links
SHOCKING: 46" LCD TVs for $54.09
Today ONLY: Unique site sells 46" LCD TVs for up to 98% off retail price.
SmartStyleLiving.com
HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES
Libya
NBA
Afghanistan
Fast Food
Gas & Oil
NASA
Hockey
Brian Williams
Gabrielle
Giffords
MORE BIG NEWS PAGES »
ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA COMEDY MUSIC TV CELEBRITY KIDS MOVIEFONE
Advertise | Log In | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ | Contact Us
User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type
Copyright © 2011 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
scubalady 09:03 AM on 4/10/2011
Permalink | Share it
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
heroine addict 10:51 AM on 4/08/2011
Permalink | Share it
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Michael Giltz 03:27 PM on 4/10/2011
Permalink | Share it
Get AlertsFRONT
PAGEPOLITICS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TECH COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD FOOD LIVING IMPACT EDU LOCAL
Michael Giltz
Freelance writer and raconteur
GET UPDATES FROM MICHAEL GILTZ
Follow
Movies , Kelly Reichardt , Meeks Cutoff , Michelle Williams , Meeks' Cutoff , Michelle
Williams Meeks Cutoff , Westerns , Entertainment News
2
91
1
3React
Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird CrazyHuffPost Review: Meeks' Cutoff
MEEK'S CUTOFF *** 1/2 out of ****
Opening day in limited release
Director Kelly Reichardt gets better and better with
every film, and here she fulfills the promise of Old Joy
and Wendy & Lucy . The latter starred Michelle Williams
as a woman who lost her dog; her central rivetingperformance kept the slight story afloat.
Here, Williams is part of a marvelous ensemble, and
while the plot comes fast and furious, it's presented in alow-key, ambiguous manner that suits Reichardt to a"t." In this Western set during the 1800s, three families
are headed west with their guide Meek (Bruce
Greenwood). Meek is either lost or being urged by residents of the Territory they're headed for to steer
newcomers away to a certain death. (Too many Americans might turn the Territory over to the U.S. in avote, something certain independent settlers want to avoid.) Meeks may be clueless or cruel but theyundoubtedly need water. The capturing of a "savage" gives them a chance to ignore Meeks and use thisman to save them.
MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOST 1 of 2
WATCH: Two New Yorkers
Take A Taxi To Los Angeles
9/11 Responders Warned
They Will Be Screened For
Terrorism Ties (EXCLUSIVE)
Poll Shows One Potential
Presidential Hopeful InFOLLOW USBIG NEWS: Celebrities | Britney Spears | LeAnn Rimes | Lindsay Lohan | Personal Finance | More...
PHOTOS: The
Funniest People
Not On TwitterMiranda Kerr &
Orlando Bloom
Step Out To 'The
The Funniest
Someecards For
Easter 2011Weekly Roundup of
eBay Vintage
Clothing Finds
News Web
Like 276K April 24, 2011 | Log In | Sign Up
Get Alerts
Like 1
Posted: 04/ 8/11 03:02 AM ET
SHARE THIS STORY
Submit this story
Get Entertainment Alerts
Sign UpPHOTO GALLERIES
Like 2K
Like 20K
FRONT
PAGEPOLITICS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TECH COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD FOOD LIVING IMPACT EDU LOCAL
There you go. That it's, all delivered in an open-ended manner sure to frustrate general audiences. But
what a cast Meek's Cutoff offers. Paul Dano is wonderful as a weak-willed man who only seems strong
compared to his hysterical wife (Zoe Kazan), a woman who sees Indians lurking behind every tree. The
inestimable Shirley Henderson is wittily on target as a woman constantly keeping an eye on her
wandering son and a husband who refuses water when it's scarce (to all of their detriment). Greenwood
is wonderfully offbeat as the guide, and Will Patton is a rock of common sense as the husband of
Williams, though their relationship is a little tense. (She's his second wife, and he seems uncertain about
this woman with opinions.)
Without a hint of modernism, Williams creates a strong, fascinating character who insists on seeing the
captured "savage" (Rod Rondeaux) as a man and not just an object of scorn or even pity. Exceptionallywell-acted, quiet and observant, Meek's Cutoff is pure arthouse fare, which is meant as a warning for
those who might want, you know, a little action or some answers, and as praise for a talented directorcoming into her own.
*****
Thanks for reading. Michael Giltz is the cohost of Showbiz Sandbox, a weekly pop culture podcast that
reveals the industry take on entertainment news of the day and features top journalists and opinionmakers as guests. It's available free on iTunes. Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog.
Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his radio show, also called Popsurfing and alsoavailable for free on iTunes. Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and
reviews .
Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz
Related News On Huffington Post:
'Meek's Cutoff': Michelle Williams Gets Cartooned In Poster
For a cartoon, this isn't very joyous. But then, Michelle Williams is a seriousactress. The Oscar-nominated actress stars in the upcoming film "Meek's
Crossing,"...
Striking Distance Of Obama
Shelterpop: Unplugging
Appliances: Do I REALLY
Have to Do This?
Popeater: Brad and
Angelina's Strict Nanny
Requirements
Noam Chomsky Is the World
Too Big to Fail? The
Contours of Global Order
The Real Reason You're Not
Married (And What To Do
About It)
AOL Real Estate: Prince
William and Kate to Live in
Royal Mansion
TV Squad: Maria Menounos
Relives Her Paparazzi
'Wardrobe Malfunction' on
'Lopez' (VIDEO)
DON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS 1 of 5
Sam Waterston
Saving Easter Island’s Marine
Ecosystems
David O. Russell
FDR Said it All in 1936 -- Who Will
Follow in His Steps Today?
More Celebrity News at People.com
Like 1K
Like 1K
Like 1K
Like 3K
Like 197
Like 57
Like 53
Lindsay Lohan Is 'Angry'
About Jail Sentence
READ MORE
Antoine Dodson Arrested
READ MORE
Stefano Langone RevealsHis Relationship Status
READ MORE
Royal Wedding Guest List
'The Hangover 2'
Trailers: New TV
Spots...
Tom Cruise To Play
Cheating Politician
In...
'The Greatest Movie
Ever Sold': Morgan
Spurlock...
Lindsay Lohan
Quickly Released
From Jail After...
Comments 3 Pending Comments 0View FAQ
More in Entertainment...
Buy a link here Sponsored Links
SHOCKING: 46" LCD TVs for $54.09
Today ONLY: Unique site sells 46" LCD TVs for up to 98% off retail price.
SmartStyleLiving.com
Mom Is 55, Looks 30...
Her clever $5 wrinkle therapy angers Botox Doctors. Find Out How!
FDXNews8.com
SHOCKING: Apple iPad 2 for $12!
Auction site to give away 1,000+ iPad 2s for $11.96 EACH!
NewsChannel7.com
Trade Free for 60 Days.
Plus get up to $500. Apply at E*TRADE Securities.
www.etrade.com/tradefree
TOP VIDEO PICKS 1 of 10
Lindsay Lohan Back in the
Slammer
Beckhams In, Obamas Outat Royal Wedding
Olsen's Wacky Fur Outfit
MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW 1 of 2
HOT ON FACEBOOK 1 of 3
HOT ON TWITTER 1 of 2
Recency | Popularity
More Celebrity News at Popeater.com
Watch2FreeMovie Meeks Cutoff : TOP Quality-part 1 of 12: movie, Meeks Cutoff
full movie, new releases, free movies, Meeks Cutoff ... http://bit.ly/fK1i1X
4 hours ago from twitterfeed
ThePimpShack New Download: Meek's Cutoff (Music from the Motion Picture) -
Jeff Grace http://www.thepimpshack....
5 hours ago from The Pimp Shack
Login or connect with:
More Login Options
Post to Facebook.
Post to Blogger.
Post to Twitter.
Post to WordPress.
Post to TypePad.
Post to Tumblr.To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the
comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly
underneath the comment you replied to.
Share your Comment:
Post Comment
Preview Comment
View All
Revealed: Who's Going?
'Bed Intruder' Star Antoine
Dodson Arrested
Paul Reiser's New Show
Yanked After Two Weeks
Viral Star Antoine Dodson
ARRESTED
Melania Talks Obama's
Birth Certificate, First
Lady Possibility
Gwyneth Paltrow Is Right.
We're All Jealous. (Of Her
and George W. Bush.)
Like 4K
Tyler Perry To Spike Lee:
'Go Straight To Hell'
Like 11K
mayhemstudios
RT @sbeasla : What happens when
you tickle a little penguin?
http://j.mp/dEZjCM via
@huffingtonpost
twsuccess
Antoine Dodson Arrested For
Marijuana Possession
http://huff.to/edLaIo
2 Fans
170 Fans
78 FansMichelle Williams has been a favorite of mine since Me without you.Her performanc es in Land of
plenty, Wendy and Lucy or Blue Valentine are riveting (I would have given her the Oscar!!).
So I won't miss this new collaborat ion with Kelly Reichardt. It looks promising.
Even the poster for this movie is excellent.
I hadn't seen the poster but checked it out thanks to your recommenda tion. It is indeed
very cool.
Buy a link here Sponsored Links
SHOCKING: 46" LCD TVs for $54.09
Today ONLY: Unique site sells 46" LCD TVs for up to 98% off retail price.
SmartStyleLiving.com
HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES
Libya
NBA
Afghanistan
Fast Food
Gas & Oil
NASA
Hockey
Brian Williams
Gabrielle
Giffords
MORE BIG NEWS PAGES »
ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA COMEDY MUSIC TV CELEBRITY KIDS MOVIEFONE
Advertise | Log In | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ | Contact Us
User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type
Copyright © 2011 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
scubalady 09:03 AM on 4/10/2011
Permalink | Share it
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
heroine addict 10:51 AM on 4/08/2011
Permalink | Share it
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Michael Giltz 03:27 PM on 4/10/2011
Permalink | Share it
Get AlertsFRONT
PAGEPOLITICS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TECH COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD FOOD LIVING IMPACT EDU LOCAL