Druid Peak

Druid Peak is what great indie films should aspire towards-a great and meaningful script, cinematography that is elegant, yet restrained and performances from Spencer Treat Clark and Andrew Wilson that are believable and powerful. First time writer-director Marni Zelnick has incredible talent in both categories, but the writing , which weaves a coming of age story against the wolf reintroduction program in Yellowstone, is impressive in the extreme. Clark's character makes a journey from a completely unlikable bully to a person of substance as he discovers that wild places, and the creatures that inhabit them, can have a healing effect on those who are open to them. The transformation is both believable and more than a little inspiring.

Rachel Morrison lenses this picture with the incredible talent for which she has become widely-recognized. Her mark is on every scene, sumptuous, yet incisive. Wyoming becomes one of the"characters" of the movie under her able hands.

The chemistry between the 2 laconic leads, Spencer Treat Clark and Andrew Wilson, evolves inexorably and each actor shines in the way their relationship develops as they deliver the terse and excellent dialogue.

While set against the timely background of the effect wolves and other apex predators have on the trophic cascade, this is much more than a conservation movie, despite its message. It shows how transformation can come in many forms, including the ability to discover the wild within us.