Spiral Jetty
Spiral Jetty

Movie spotlight

Spiral Jetty

2017
Movie
16 min
English

An applauded New York intellectual hires a young archivist to whitewash her late psychologist father's reputation by eliminating a forbidding, potentially incriminating paper trail.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic67/100
Google Users78%
Director: Kelly ReichardtGenres: Drama, Western

Plot Summary

In the vast American West, a woman finds herself adrift, struggling with addiction and searching for a sense of purpose. She becomes entangled in a complex relationship with a charismatic but unreliable lawyer and a lonely, hardworking oil-field worker. As her life unravels, she is drawn to the stark beauty and isolation of the titular earthwork, Spiral Jetty, seeking solace and a connection to something larger than herself.

Critical Reception

Kelly Reichardt's 'Spiral Jetty' (often referring to Robert Smithson's 1970 land art installation, but here presented as a narrative film) received a generally positive reception for its atmospheric storytelling and exploration of themes of isolation, addiction, and the search for meaning. Critics praised its minimalist aesthetic and the performances of its lead actors, though some found its deliberate pacing to be slow.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its evocative atmosphere and striking visuals.

  • Noted for the subtle yet compelling performances of the main cast.

  • Some critics found the film's slow, meditative pace to be challenging.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's artistic approach and the performances, finding it to be a visually engaging and thought-provoking experience. However, a segment of viewers found the narrative too understated and the overall experience to be somewhat melancholic.

Fun Fact

While the film is titled 'Spiral Jetty' and features the iconic land art installation, the narrative is fictional and not a documentary about Robert Smithson or the creation of the artwork.

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