WHITEWASH - TRIBECA REVIEW
Bruce (Thomas Haden Church) is a man on the run. After a tragic incident leaves him scared, he hides deep within the forests of Quebec attempting to stay out of sight and to stay alive. WHITEWASH is a very dark film but also has plenty of hilarious moments. Thomas Haden Church delivers a typcially wonderful performance. His character is heartbroken after the death of his wife and he seems to take each day as it comes confiding in alcohol, keeping to himself. When he stumbles upon a stranger named Paul (Marc Labrèche) who may have more troubles than Bruce, things change for the both of them which leads to the downward spiral that I, as a viewer, couldn't turn away from.
The film may not be perfect but I thoroughly enjoyed it largely due to Thomas Haden Church's performance, which carries the film. There is a short usage of voice over scattered over the film that doesn't work until the very last sentence. I feel the storytelling could've had a slightly different approach. The story examines the idea that the problems we face often greatly expand when ignored or dealt with in fear of actual punishment. Bruce begins to lose his mind after staying hidden for too long and becomes his own enemy as well as projecting his problems on other people and even objects. I can't help but say this is one of my favorite films of the festival so far. The setting, isolation, and potential consequences are so real you can almost feel the chill of it all.
VERDICT: A SOLID CHOICE
Written by Marc Tulin, Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais Directed by Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais Starring Thomas Haden Church, Marc Labrèche, Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais, Vincent Hoss-Desmarais, Anie Pascale, Claire Jones Country Canada Content Disclaimer (Adult Language, Violence) For ticket and screening information: http://tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets
BOTTOM LINE: A wonderful dark comedy driven by a fantastic performance by Thomas Haden Church