IN A NUTSHELL:
Set in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, the movie tells a story about a family that is dominated by a crime lord who uses his fists to control both them and his business. When his son meets the girl of his dreams, desperately wanting to escape the life he is expected to lead and free himself from the clutches of his father, he is forced to go head-to-head with the terrifying man who will stop at nothing to ensure loyalty from all of those around him.
The crime thriller is directed by Ben Young. It was written by Robert Knott, based on the novel Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
This movie is not appropriate for children.
We see murder and attempted murder.
Profanity, including F-bombs and other crude language
Suggestive content
Lots of alcohol
Talk of drug use
Blood splatters
Suicide
THINGS I LIKED:
The fantastic cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Brian d'Arcy James, Jackie Earle Haley, and Hopper Penn, the son of Oscar winner Sean Penn and Golden Globe winner Robin Wright. I didn't even recognize Billy Bob Thornton the first time he appeared on screen! Robin Wright was almost unrecognizable too. They both truly disappeared into their characters. Everyone gave excellent performances.
It must have been a great experience for Robin Wright to perform with her son in a movie. He received a Masterclass from her and Billy Bob Thornton.
The last hour is pretty intense and suspenseful.
The story is, at once, both hopeful and sad.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
Acts 1 and 2 are slow-moving but hang in there. Act 3 will pick up and pay off.
It's never any fun to spend time in the gutter with people in the drug business like these characters.
Based on the title, I thought there would be more physical mountains and peaks to climb in the movie. Instead, they are emotional mountains and peaks.
I wish we could have seen more of the relationship between Hopper Penn and Katelyn Nacon.
