Flawed yet chilling tale

Rating: 7/10 (9 September 2017)

There is an important message in this film...made explicit at the end for those of us who don't reside in that 'supposed' land of the free, the USA. To get to this message we first have to wade through yet more unpleasant realities of the USA. Nevertheless, suddenly, we find ourselves on a murder mystery detection trail. Trouble is, this is in the middle of nowhere-land. There is no close FBI agent so a diminutive, fresh faced city type from Las Vegas is sent....the authorities clearly have no intention of 'solving' anything. Step in local wildlife ranger, Renner, and the hard bitten local sheriff ...now the story really gets going and it turns out to be a rocky ride. The story and Renner are compelling which is fortunate as this film has some major failings. Cinematography is particularly badly directed with some hand held shakiness introduced at the wrong moments. Dialogue and diction is often incoherent or muffled. Script is not matched by actor action...or is not adequately captured in filming. Knocks the shine off what should have been a top class production. Instead it is so so.