Watch All the Wilderness
- 2015
- 1 hr 16 min
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5.8 (1,556)
All the Wilderness is an independent drama film released in 2014 that explores the theme of teenage angst through the eyes of a 16-year-old boy, James (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The movie showcases James as a social misfit, grieving the recent death of his father and struggling to find a place in the world. He often isolates himself and immerses himself in his passion for wildlife photography, capturing the beauty of the wilderness and the pain of the urban decay.
The movie opens with James in a counseling session with Dr. Pembry (Danny DeVito). As James struggles to express himself, Dr. Pembry nudges him towards a group therapy program that takes place in a church basement. The group is led by a recovering drug addict, Harmon (Evan Ross), who encourages the members to speak freely about their feelings and experiences. James struggles to connect with anyone in the group and finds himself drawn to a lone girl, Val (Isabelle Fuhrman), who also seems to be struggling with her own issues.
James's strained relationship with his mother, Abigail (Virginia Madsen), is also a significant part of the story. Abigail is a successful author, preparing for her next book launch, but she is unable to connect with her son, who she feels is slipping away from her. Her boyfriend, Einar (Danny Dyer), adds to James's confusion, offering him beers and drugs and treating him like an adult, despite James being a minor.
As James continues his aimless journey, he forms an unexpected bond with Harmon, who he finds on his couch one night. Harmon doesn't push James, but instead encourages him to see the world from a different perspective. They go out on a late-night drive, and James talks about his love for the animals and landscapes he photographs. Harmon reveals his passion for music and how he finds solace in performing on stage.
James's growing attraction towards Val finally reaches a tipping point one night when they sneak out of the church basement together. They go to a bridge and dangle their legs off the edge, talking about their fears and dreams. James expresses his desire to be wild and free, like the coyotes he photographs. Val talks about her fear of death and losing the people she loves.
As James continues to push away those close to him, he jeopardizes his relationship with Val when he refuses to attend therapy and gets drunk with Einar. Abigail tries to connect with him, but James feels misunderstood and alone.
The movie showcases James's struggle to find his place in the world and his search for meaning in the midst of pain and confusion. It shows how he attempts to come to terms with his father's death and his fear of abandonment by creating a world of his own. The narrative is poignant, and the cinematography captures the beauty of nature and the ugliness of the city.
All the Wilderness is a coming-of-age story that portrays the challenges of growing up, dealing with grief, and finding a sense of identity in the world. It's an emotionally impactful movie that explores the complexities of human relationships and the beauty of the wilderness. The film ends on a hopeful note, leaving viewers with the idea that life can be messy and unpredictable, but also full of moments of beauty and wonder.
All the Wilderness is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 54.