If you can look past the glacial pacing and really see what's being presented on the screen, Montana Story is a thoroughly rewarding film.
The family drama is delivered in such a restrained, satisfying way. Exposition and backstory is gradually hinted at until these fully realised characters finally reach their traumatic breaking point and the emotional payoff finally comes spilling out.
The achievement of acting in this film cannot be overstated. Haley Lu Richardson, especially, delivers her lines with such tact and in a way that makes her character a living, breathing person.
Some very intriguing themes are explored through parallel presentation that provoke thought as to what gives a life inherent meaning or value. I'll be thinking about it for a while.
All this praise being said, the pacing really is an issue. Many, many scenes could have been trimmed down or presented a bit differently to give the film a sense of progression that is rarely present. I'd say about 20 minutes could have been cut and all that would have been lost are some repetitive vistas and redundant mundane actions.
Still, when this film is at its high points, it REALLY shines, and I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy a slow-burn western.
