"Wolves don't kill unlucky deer. They kill the weak ones!"

Rating: 9/10 (6 July 2018)

Wind River
The title of this review is a line lifted straight from the movie.
A line that really hit home as it sums up the characters who inhabit Wind River.
A place where people have been forgotten by their own government and left to fend for themselves.
In this mesmerising movie written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, Jeremy Renner plays a hunter who helps FBI agent Jane Banner solve the murder of a local Native American girl who's body is found in the frozen wilderness.
Banner played by Elisabeth Olsen is the fish out of water who struggles to connect with the towns folk.
Cory Lambert (Renner) comes to her aid when he finds that the girls death reflects events from his own past.
Wind River is a truly captivating movie that is fuelled by superb dialogue and heart felt performances by an excellent cast.
Renner has never been better.
Olsen proves she is far more capable than playing just a Marvel superheroine.
Whilst both leads could easily make their living just being an Avenger it is great that they've had the chance to stretch those acting legs.
Supporting cast are also strong and it is perhaps Gil Birmingham's performance as grieving father Martin that steals the show.
A brief cameo performance from Jon Bernthal was a welcome surprise but all involved can be commended for making this a completely immersive piece of entertainment.
Wind River is a wonderful movie on the eye. Cinematography is breathtaking with some stunning shots of the surrounding landscapes.
The weather is fully realised on screen helping drive the harsh environment into the minds of the audience. We can almost feel the cold.
Sound is also very good.
Dialogue is often muffled, giving the impression those on screen have lost their way.
They're broken people where only the strongest remain alive.
Surround sound effects help create a true feeling of the elements. Wind and snow envelops the listener as does the sound of wildlife.
When the action set pieces do eventually arrive it is jarring as loud gunshots are a contrast from the slow burn drama.
Wind River has a truly satisfying finale which never really presents itself until the very end.
The "who done it?" factor is not present in this movie. There's no guessing the killer twenty minutes into the move here!
It is to Sheridan's skill as a director we can thank for this.
At 1hr 47 mins this movie is lean and well trimmed. Not a single frame has been wasted.
A movie I thoroughly enjoyed and one well worth your time.