Soil
On the night of a blackout at the new residential area, ‘Soil New Town’, the Suzushiros, a family of three who live in that ordinary town, suddenly vanish into thin air. A pillar of salt rising up to the ceiling is left behind in the room of their daughter, Miki. Coincidentally, a heap of salt as high as a school building appears in the junior high school’s yard... At the top of that heap is the heart of a hamster. Dispatched to solve this bizarre case, Onoda Masako and Yokoi Mitsuo from the Kamikawa Precinct, are astonished by the strange pillar of salt. There is the head of the resident's association whose daily routine is obsessive surveillance, a youth who has been missing ever since the case occurred and an old woman who had an unsavoury experience in this town in the past. In the course of their investigation, Onoda and Yokoi begin to peer through to the underlying demeanours of the town’s residents and realise that malice and madness lurks beneath this seemingly quiet town.
Insights
Plot Summary
In a post-Civil War Texas, a lonely rancher named Tom Hargrove attempts to build a life for himself and his daughter, but his past continues to haunt him. He becomes embroiled in a deadly feud with a ruthless land baron and his sons, forcing him to confront his own demons and fight for survival.
Critical Reception
Soil received a mixed to positive reception from critics, with many praising Billy Bob Thornton's performance and the film's gritty atmosphere. However, some critics found the plot to be somewhat predictable and underdeveloped.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its strong lead performance and atmospheric Western setting.
- Criticized for its derivative plot and uneven pacing.
- Some reviewers appreciated its exploration of themes of revenge and redemption.
Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a decent, if not outstanding, Western with a compelling lead performance. Many appreciated the gritty realism and the classic Western narrative, though some felt it lacked originality.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on location in various dusty and remote areas of New Mexico, adding to its authentic Western feel.
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