Overview
A single mother is swept into a dark underworld, while her teenage son discovers a road that leads him to a secret underwater town.
Now this is a weird movie. It’s Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut, and he decided not to act in the film – he said directing is hard enough in its own right and he doesn’t understand how some people can both direct and act at the same time. Take note Russel Crowe (The Water Diviner)… But I digress.
The story of Lost River is at best one of a family trying to keep its head above water against the odds. But I don’t think you should watch this movie for its storyline. It is one of those movies you just have to experience for its atmosphere.
The film has some great photography and a very immersive soundtrack – very stylised and at times almost reminiscent of the weirder scenes in Twin Peaks’ Red Room. Well actually maybe not quite that bizarre, but there is certainly a surreal Lynchian feel to Lost River.
It is not a fantastic movie, and I can easily see how people may not like it, but I would say it is still an interesting directorial debut, and in the end I quite enjoyed it. I think it will work best on a big screen and big sound if you get the chance, as it is more an experiential movie than a plot-driven one.
Give it a go.
