Watch Meadowland

Meadowland is a 2015 drama film that takes a deep dive into grief and how it affects people differently. The movie is directed by Reed Morano and written by Chris Rossi. It stars Olivia Wilde, Luke Wilson, Giovanni Ribisi, and Elisabeth Moss in lead roles. The movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2015 where it received positive reviews.

The story revolves around a couple, Sarah (Olivia Wilde) and Phil (Luke Wilson), who experience a parent's worst nightmare when their young son disappears at a gas station. He has simply vanished, and the couple is left devastated, unraveling in their own ways, and unable to let go of their grief. The film shows how the loss of their son affects their relationship, their work, and most importantly, their mental health.

In the beginning, the movie introduces us to the couple, who are both teachers. Their life seems pretty perfect, and they appear to be a happy couple. However, their seemingly happy life shatters when their son disappears. Sarah is hit hardest by the loss. She's consumed by her grief and starts attending support group sessions in an attempt to cope. Her husband, Phil, on the other hand, struggles to accept his loss, and he gradually becomes emotionally distant.

The movie portrays grief in a hauntingly beautiful way. It shows how grief can take over someone's life, like a parasite, slowly destroying everything in its wake. It also highlights the pain that comes from the inability to find closure. Sarah clings onto hope, unable to come to terms with the fact that her son may never return. Phil, on the other hand, tries his best to move on, but he is unable to connect with his wife, who he sees as being consumed by their loss.

As the movie progresses, each character tries to come to grips with their loss in their own way. Sarah can't escape her grief and starts to self-destruct, engaging in dangerous behavior which ultimately pushes Phil away. Phil, on the other hand, tries to move on by having an affair, but this only makes things worse. The couple struggles to find common ground and it seems like they are drifting further apart with each passing day.

The supporting cast features some great performances as well. Giovanni Ribisi plays a cop who is investigating the missing child case. He serves as a source of hope for the couple, and his performance is understated yet effective. Elisabeth Moss plays a fellow teacher and close friend of Sarah's. Her character serves as a reminder of the life that Sarah used to have and what she's lost.

The cinematography in Meadowland is stunning. The film captures the beauty of the Meadowland throughout the four seasons, even though the story is dark and depressing. The sound design is equally impressive, providing a haunting background score that elevates the emotions on screen.

In conclusion, Meadowland is a film that aims to provide an honest portrayal of grief and the complexities that come with it. The film showcases great performances all around, but it's Olivia Wilde's portrayal of the tortured mother that stands out. Reed Morano does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of the Meadowland and using it as a metaphor for the characters' grief. The movie is a hauntingly beautiful journey that explores the darkest depths of human emotion.

Meadowland is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 67.