Watch Box Elder

Box Elder is a coming-of-age film directed by Todd Sklar. Released in 2008, it follows four friends as they navigate their last summer before college in the small town of Box Elder, Montana. The film stars Hina Abdullah as Sabina, Kyle Ayers as Aaron, Andy Cohen as Willy, and Alex Rennie as Rudy. Aaron, Sabina, Willy, and Rudy are recent high school graduates who have been friends for years. Box Elder follows their summer adventures before they all go their separate ways to college. Aaron is headed to the University of Montana, while Sabina is going to Brown University. Willy is undecided, while Rudy has no plans to attend college. Throughout the film, the group grapples with the reality that their tight-knit friendship may be coming to an end.

The humor in Box Elder is sometimes dark, but it is also balanced by moments of sincere emotion and reflection. The film is split into chapters, each of which is named after one of the four main characters. Each chapter provides insight into the inner workings of the character in focus. These insights aren't always pleasant; in fact, the film often reveals the characters' flaws and insecurities.

One of the recurring themes in Box Elder is the idea of growing up and leaving behind the past. Aaron, the de facto leader of the group, struggles with the realization that his friends won't be there to rely on in college. Sabina, on the other hand, is eager to embrace the future and leave the past behind. At the same time, Willy needs to confront his fear of leaving his hometown and Rudy must come to terms with the fact that his friends are moving on without him.

Box Elder uses the small town of Box Elder to convey a sense of isolation and confinement. Many of the scenes take place on empty streets or in abandoned buildings. The film also relies on its characters' interactions with the people who live in the town to convey its sense of place. While there are fleeting moments of genuine connection between the group and the people they encounter, most of these interactions are fleeting and shallow.

Throughout the film, the group struggles with boredom and aimlessness. They hang out at the local pool, drink in the park, and play video games. It's a familiar and relatable experience for many teenagers who are struggling to figure out what to do with their lives.

Box Elder's soundtrack is an integral part of its story. The film features a variety of indie rock music from the mid-2000s, including songs from Band of Horses, The New Pornographers, and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. The soundtrack adds to the film's nostalgic feel and reinforces its themes of leaving the past behind.

The film's visual style is minimalistic, with many scenes taking place in long, unbroken takes. There are moments where the camera lingers on characters' faces for several seconds, allowing the viewer to see the subtle shifts in their emotions. Box Elder also relies heavily on natural light, giving it a realistic feel.

Overall, Box Elder is a poignant and relatable coming-of-age story. Its focus on friendship, growing up, and leaving the past behind is executed with a deft touch. The film's humor, emotional depth, and strong performances from its cast make it worth watching.

Box Elder is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.