Movie of the Week: American Fable
Alexa: merican Fable” simultaneously fascinated and frustrated me. First, the positives. This movie is gorgeously shot. It’s the debut film from writer-director Anne Hamilton, and particularly for her first feature-length piece, she has an incredible sense of place. She creates a distinct gothic atmosphere that’s also uniquely American, and it immediately pulls you into this contained world she’s created. The two lead performances are also exceptional. Peyton Kennedy, who plays 11-year-old Gitty, is a little powerhouse. The movie rests on her shoulders and she carries it impeccably. And Richard Schiff (aka Toby from “The West Wing”) is outstanding as always. The scenes between the two of them are by far the most compelling, and they act circles around everyone else in the cast. Unfortunately, the story is a bit of a mess. I get the core premise that this is a lion-and-mouse story for corporate and rural America, and the ambiguity of Jonathan’s return at the end doesn’t bother me. ...