Watch October Country

October Country is a 2009 documentary that gives audiences an intimate and raw look into the lives of a working-class family from upstate New York. The Mosher family, consisting of Don, Danael, Desi, and a few other family members, fights to navigate through some of life's biggest challenges, such as poverty, heartbreak, and mental illness.

The film is unconventional in its approach, and often veers away from typical documentary styles. Instead, the movie is less focused on telling a full and comprehensive story and more so on painting a vivid and often disorienting portrait of the family in question. The filmmakers, Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher, have a strong sense of the space around the Mosher family and how it impacts their daily lives. From the haunting imagery of a local cemetery to the cramped and cluttered living room where most of the family scenes take place, the film uses the environment to communicate a sense of foreboding, even when nothing out of the ordinary is happening.

The movie begins with Don's return from Iraq - a reference and a nod to the military-industrial complex and how working-class Americans are affected by it. The filmmakers do not dwell too much on Don's experience overseas, but instead focus on his strained relationship with his daughter Danael. The two share a deep connection, but also a history of miscommunication and pain. Danael, for her part, is wrestling with her own issues regarding her son, and the complications of being a single mother who still loves her estranged partner.

Desi, Danael's brother, is another central figure in the movie. Desi is different from the rest of the family - he is openly queer, and his artistic pursuits and lifestyle clash somewhat with the conservative milieu surrounding him. But despite these differences, he remains close to his family, particularly his grandfather, who longs for a simpler time and an America that no longer exists.

The movie is loosely structured around the seasons, with the family navigating through the different obstacles and changes that come with each one. There is Halloween, with its creepy imagery and the memory of a loved one lost. And Christmas, with its expected joy and cheer that quickly turns bittersweet in the light of the family's dysfunction.

But even with these predictable markers, the movie never feels too predictable. The film's rawness keeps it grounded in reality, even when a sense of unreality pervades. Some scenes feel dreamlike, with the camera drifting through the house and capturing images that feel almost otherworldly. There is a sense of looming dread throughout, with even the seemingly mundane aspects of life holding the potential for something dark and unexpected.

The movie is not without its hopeful moments, though. The family may be struggling, but they are not without love and support for one another. The filmmakers expertly capture these moments of tenderness and compassion, balancing out some of the heavier themes with something approaching warmth.

Despite its unconventional structure, October Country is a hugely affecting film. Its honesty and unflinching approach to its subjects make it a must-watch for anyone interested in intimate family dramas or character studies. The movie never tries to be anything it's not, and it's all the stronger for it. This is a family worth getting to know, even with all their flaws and heartache. By the time the credits roll, audiences will feel like they've gone through something, too.

October Country is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 66.