Out of the Woods
Out of the Woods

Movie spotlight

Out of the Woods

2005
Movie
87 min
English

Matt, a self-absorbed young attorney, goes to visit his grandfather - an eccentric recluse who lives in the backwoods without gas, electricity, or phone - to convince him not to give away his estate as he plans to do. But in the end, it is Matt who is convinced to make some life changes. Jason London and Ed Asner star. When a woman needs someone to look after her aging father (Ed Asner), her irresponsible son isn't her first choice. Matt (Jason London) can't get his career, love life, or wallet in order, so how can he be expected to check in on his grandfather? But desperation leads Matt to visit his grandfather at his home in the middle of nowhere. For Matt, this barebones life takes some adjustment, but then he meets a single mother who helps him learn about the simple life.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes45%
Metacritic52/100
Google Users60%
Director: Vincent GalloGenres: Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

The film follows the erratic and often self-destructive journey of a successful, yet deeply troubled, actor named Gordon. After a public breakdown, he retreats to a secluded cabin in the woods to find peace, but his internal struggles and eccentric behavior continue to dominate his life. He grapples with fame, relationships, and his own artistic integrity, leading to a series of bizarre and poignant encounters.

Critical Reception

Vincent Gallo's 'Out of the Woods' is a highly divisive film, often polarizing critics and audiences alike. It's frequently described as an intensely personal and experimental work, lauded by some for its raw honesty and artistic ambition, while others found it self-indulgent and difficult to connect with. The film received a mixed to negative response upon its release, with many critics struggling to interpret Gallo's unconventional narrative and performance style.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its bold, uncompromising artistic vision and raw emotional portrayal.

  • Criticized for being overly self-indulgent, meandering, and lacking a clear narrative.

  • Noted for its challenging and experimental approach to filmmaking.

Google audience: Google users appear to be divided, with some appreciating the film's unique, artistic approach and raw performances, while others found it to be pretentious and difficult to follow, citing its unconventional structure and pacing as drawbacks.

Fun Fact

Vincent Gallo wrote, directed, produced, scored, and starred in the film, a common practice in his independent filmmaking career.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review