Title: Wind River
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Taylor Sheridan
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
What It Is: In the Wyoming reservation land known as Wind River the tribal police may be law but Cory (Renner) is the one really calling the shots. When the skilled Fish and Wildlife Service tracker finds the body of a young girl dead in the middle of the snow away from everyone and everything the death looks suspicious. When young FBI agent Jane Banner (Olsen) heads up the investigation she’ll find out she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Perhaps not all the facts are right there in front of them. With a bit of police work, the sinister truth behind this crime will unveil itself.
What We Think: What a film! Sheridan writes and directs one absolutely stunning piece of cinema. This one took my breath away and literally and figuratively freezing me in my seat. Renner is fantastic, Olsen superb. Every frame looks like a winter hell. Beautiful but dangerous a tundra that echoes within every frame. It also just so happens to be a great mystery and a hell of a cop film.
Our Grade: A, Much in the way Hell or High Water (which Sheridan also wrote) came out last year and just shocked everyone at how good it was. I think this has a similar track. Don’t be surprised if it too receives a best picture nomination come Oscar time. At no time thus far in 2017 have I been left stunned like I was during this films stellar last act. Obviously, I cannot recommend this film much more highly than to say see this immediately before it leaves a theater near you. I can promise you will not forget it. I’d like to end the review by mentioning the amazing job of casting. They found some amazing Native American actors and they not only delivered but hopefully earned themselves some more roles in Hollywood.