Meadowland

A great movie about the heart and the human connection, particularly that of parents to child. A tough subject matter and one that parents can always use reminding of. What a world. The directing was amazing.

Acceptance, conformity normalcy. First enjoy the movie and the great acting. Then dig into the message and decide for yourself whether you agree with it or not. Either way it is a must see.

The story will tear you apart emotionally with the brilliant acting from every cast member including Olivia Wilde, Luke Wilson and Giovanni Rabisi. The editing and every shot is pure art and really pulls you into the character's plight as they work through their issues.

The thing that’s so exhilarating about Reed Morano’s directorial debut “Meadowland” is its courageous tendency to not shy away from darkness. From the beginning, we’re aware that our two main characters are in deep pain. And, as an audience, are asked to grapple with their issues along with them. The film’s opening scene sets the tone for the rest, in which a married couple - played by Olivia Wilde and Luke Wilson - lose their young child on a family trip (presumably due to an abduction). But this sequence only lasts a few short minutes, with the extent of the movie focused on the hazy aftermath. We watch the two bottle up their emotions and feelings when around each other, only letting them out when alone, and their relationship begins to falter. Olivia Wilde’s character roams the subway in the middle of the night, her maternal emptiness spreading like wildfire. And Luke Wilson’s character - a New York City cop - resorts to a cold, forbidding perspective (barely able to attend his support group each week). They both cling to the most significant memories they have, failing to make new ones in the wake of the tragedy. Their superb performances perfectly capture the sad indecision and subsequent recklessness after the loss of a loved one. Reed Morano, who made her name in the film industry as a cinematographer, photographs and directs the movie magnificently. It’s one of the most well-shot and competently made dramas I’ve seen in quite a while. Though its gut-wrenching subject matter may divide viewers, the emotional weight it carries is undeniable. And with this being made by a first-time filmmaker, you can’t ask for much more.

It was painful to watch the mother unravel in this film, and the father's increasing isolation. Even the clouds in the sky carry our emotions forward in the beautiful cinematography of this film.

Meadowland made me feel things words have not been created to describe, so all I can say is that you should experience it, too. Morano’s decision to operate the camera as opposed to direct from a safe distance away shows through. There’s a strong level of intimacy felt as a result which is lacking in many other movies. This film is beautiful and haunting and resonated with me beyond belief, and I can only hope it resonates with you also. It’s more than worth your time and money. Please watch this film.

The acting was superb, Olivia Wilde had a great performance. It's a very raw movie with gritty cinematography to match the gritty performances. The beauty however shines through in every scene. Reed Morano did a great job with both directing and cinematography on this piece. It is a must watch!

A beautiful, haunting film. Olivia Wilde is riveting as a grief-stricken parent, demonstrating that the loss of a child is a prison from which there is no escape. Reed Morano is an incredibly gifted director with an exquisite, intimate visual style. The palpable anguish of her characters was so intense at times, I wanted to look away. Instead, their performances were so compellingly honest, I couldn't take my eyes off them.

Meadowland is a hard story to tell but Reed Morano, Olivia Wilde, and Luke Wilson get it done.

Although we tend to think that the purpose of movies is solely to entertain us in a mindless way, I find that there is too much mindlessness- a nonchalance towards anything that requires more than the clicking of a remote. How sad. This film actually requires us to think, feel and be in it rather than be spoonfed digital highs and lows of most films today. The story leads us on a difficult journey we must follow and takes us to places we must visit in order to come back to our own lives with a renewed sense of appreciation. Only at the end does it all come full circle in the most hopeful way it can. The ending, in and of itself, is our reincarnation. Incredible, award worthy acting, directing and cinematography- this is sure to be a classic for many who truly love film.