East of Wall

While we've seen many films based on a true story, "East of Wall" not only is based on a true story, but is considered a 'docu-fiction' film, meaning it blends real events and people with fictionalized elements, such as Tabatha Zimiga stars as herself, whereas Scoot Mcnairy and Jennifer Ehle are used as professional actors. 

This film explores Tabatha's life managing her horse ranch after the death of her husband John, her financial struggles, her unresolved grief and her role in providing refuge for a group of wayward teenagers. As she and her daughter Porshia, as herself, are somewhat estranged and the different traits of these teens make it even more difficult to make ends meet, their mom/grandma, Tracey (Jennifer Ehle) and a rich horse manager, Roy Walker (Scoot McNairy) who come into their lives, attempt to help in their different ways to help them financially, emotional--really anyway they can.

Others to round out the cast are Jesse Thorson as Jesse, Chancey Ryder Witt as Ryder, Clay Pateneaude as Clay, Leanna Shumpert as Leanna, Brynn Darling as Brynn and Wyatt Mansfield as Skylar.

This was directed by virtual newcomer Kate Beecroft (shorts and a music video), who spent three years living with Tabatha's family and community, which inspired the script and shaped the film's authentic portrayal of rural life in the Badlands, South Dakota. Certainly this trek helped her shape the direction of the film, but I certainly would like to see what she could do next, which this film was handled which such pathos and poignancy. It was equally well written by Kate Beecroft (shorts). As aforementioned, because of her residing with the Zimiga family for three years, this helped shape the script as well. It carried the personal touch because it was a very personal film.There were a small place of choppiness, but clearly not enough to detract from the overall film, and it was just a bit slow in a couple of places also.  All in all, this filmmaker will receive more work, because she is basically a natural and with that should be rewarded with more work. The performances by both Scoot McNairy as Roy Walker and Jennifer Ehle as Tracey were riveting and definitely were captivating in their respective roles. The cinematography by Austin Shelton showed the expanse of the Badlands with sweeping photography. 

If you're into films based on true stories, or better yet, films that give one the feeling as though you're peeking into their lives since many of the characters are playing themselves, this is certainly the film for you. The acting, writing, directing and sweeping cinematography are simply amazing and this is definitely worthy of the price of admission.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                     Rated: R                                         97mins.