In late-1920s, George (Cooper) is establishing a lumber empire in the Smoky Mountains just as the Great Depression bites. He also falls instantly in love with Serena (Lawrence), a strong-minded woman with a logging background. But his men are wary of this woman who takes an active interest in the business. Specifically, George's accountant (Dencik) and foreman (Harris) think she threatens their dodgy dealings and perilous workplace, although she connects better with George's hunting tracker Galloway (Ifans). Meanwhile, the local sheriff (Jones) is seeking any excuse to create a protected national park from George's forest.

Shot in the Czech Republic, the film looks spectacular, with mountain landscapes and a terrific sense of a Western-style pioneering outpost on the edge of civilisation. Cooper and Lawrence create real chemistry as a couple defying tradition, although continual cutaways to their lively sex life are unnecessary. (We get it: they're hot for each other!) They play the relationship with real emotional depth, especially in seriously dark moments. And the supporting cast around them is superb at adding shadows and texture.

On the other hand, the encroaching doom starts to feel oppressive as the story drifts into less-interesting political wrangling, legal threats, bribery, blackmail and murder. These completely take over the final act, leaving the more compelling story of a pioneering couple battling against the odds feeling unfinished. In a longer film, all of the elements could be balanced against each other, but this feels like a harshly chopped race to the closing credits.

As a result, several key scenes end up looking vaguely absurd, as everyone hurries along to the next bit of action without properly dealing with where they've just been. Cooper and Lawrence are resonant actors who still make this work, but as the story takes some bleak turns their characters are reduced to mere glimpses of earthy honesty. Everything else is rushed, leaving motivations unclear and themes undeveloped. Surely there's a better, longer cut out there.

themes, violence, sexuality

21.Oct.14