Watch Stop the Pounding Heart

Stop the Pounding Heart is a 2013 independent drama directed by Roberto Minervini. The movie revolves around the lives of a Texas farming family and a devoutly Christian teenage girl, Sarah who yearns to escape her cloistered existence to explore the world. The film is shot in a documentary style, highlighting the mundanity of the lives of Sarah and her family. The audience is introduced to Sarah's family and the work they do on a daily basis. Sarah's family are devout Pentecostals who believe that God's will is for them to live a simple life on their farm in rural Texas. They work hard to maintain their farm, raising goats, pigs, and chickens, and selling their produce at the local fair.

Sara Carlson, who plays the lead role of Sarah, delivers a solid performance. Her portrayal of Sarah is incredibly raw and authentic. She is curious about the world outside her own and is conflicted between her deep-rooted faith and her desire to explore the world around her. Colby Trichell, who plays the role of Colby, a young cowboy and the love interest of Sarah, also delivers a notable performance. He is charming and exudes a quiet strength that is palpable in every scene he's in.

One of the film's key themes is its exploration of the tension between tradition and modernity. Sarah's family are content living a simple life, with no desire to venture beyond the confines of their faith and the farm that sustains them. Sarah, on the other hand, is drawn to the world outside her own, yearning to explore new horizons and ideas. She is inspired by Colby and his passion for roping, a skill he has acquired from his days as a cattle ranch hand. Colby introduces Sarah to a new and exciting world, one that is vastly different from her own. The contrast between the two worlds is striking, and it's fascinating to watch Sarah navigate the challenges of bridging the gap between them.

Another theme that runs throughout the film is the exploration of gender roles and norms. Sarah's family adheres to traditional gender roles, with the men working the farm and the women tending to the household. Sarah does not conform to these gender norms, instead, she works alongside her father, driving the tractor and baling hay. She is also a skilled welder, a skill she learned from her father, who encouraged her to learn it. However, her abilities are often overlooked and undervalued, particularly by her mother, who believes that a woman's place is in the home.

The film's pacing is slow and methodical, which may prove to be a challenge for some viewers. However, it is deliberate and intentional, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the realness and authenticity of the world that Roberto Minervini has created. The film's cinematography is raw and unpolished, adding to its grounded and authentic feel.

Overall, Stop the Pounding Heart is a poignant and thought-provoking film about the clash between tradition and modernity and the struggles and conflicts that arise from trying to reconcile the two. It's a film that stays with you long after the credits have rolled, leaving you with questions about the world we live in and the price we pay for our choices.

Stop the Pounding Heart is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 70.