Off the Map (film)
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}{{Infobox film
| name = Off the Map
| image = OffTheMap.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Campbell Scott
| writer = Joan Ackermann
| starring = Joan Allen
Valentina de Angelis
Sam Elliott
J.K. Simmons
| based_on = Off the Map
by Joan Ackermann
| producer = Paul E. Cohen
| music = Gary DeMichele
| cinematography = Juan Ruiz Anchía
| editing = Andy Keir
| studio = Holedigger Films
| distributor = Manhattan Pictures{{cite news |title=Manhattan Closes Deal for Campbell Scott’s "Off the Map" |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2003/04/manhattan-closes-deal-for-campbell-scotts-off-the-map-79800/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |work=IndieWire |date=April 16, 2003}}
| released = {{Film date|2003|1|22|Sundance|2005|3|11|limited}}
| runtime = 108 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| gross = $1,319,492{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0332285/credits/ |title=Off the Map (2003) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=October 8, 2022}}
}}
Off the Map is a 2003 drama film directed by Campbell Scott. The screenplay was written by Joan Ackermann, based on her play of the same title. It premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival but did not receive a theatrical release until March 11, 2005.{{cite web |last1=Roman |first1=Julian |title=Campbell Scott on going Off the Map |url=https://movieweb.com/campbell-scott-on-going-off-the-map/ |website=MovieWeb |access-date=8 October 2022 |date=March 10, 2005}}
Plot
In the summer of 1974, the eccentric Groden family lives an off-the-grid existence in rural New Mexico. Daughter Bo uses her imagination and creativity to explore the world around her, while her mother Arlene holds the family together. Her father Charley, however, has fallen into a deep depression. One day an IRS auditor named William Gibbs arrives to determine why the Grodens haven't filed their income tax for so long and is suspicious of their ability to live with so little. While there, William falls into a fever and later awakens a changed man who sticks around on their property.
Cast
{{Cast listing|* Joan Allen as Arlene Groden
- Valentina de Angelis as young Bo Groden
- Amy Brenneman as adult Bo
- Sam Elliott as Charley Groden
- J.K. Simmons as George
- Jim True-Frost as William Gibbs
- Boots Southern as Rusty
- J.D. Garfield as Romero
- Matthew Montoya as Store Clerk
- Kathy Griego as Consuela
- Fr. William Hart McNicholas as Interpreter
- Fr. Timothy Martinez as Priest
- J.D. Hawkins as Jack
- Kevin Skousen as Don
}}
Production
Joan Allen told Campbell Scott that she didn't think she'd be able to do her nude scene. He set her up with a body double but Allen changed her mind and ended up doing the scene herself.{{cite web |last=Balfour |first=Brad |date=March 29, 2005 |title=Joan Allen: The upside of acting |url=http://www.popentertainment.com/joanallen.htm |access-date=24 February 2022 |work=www.popentertainment.com}}
Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Off the Map has an approval rating of 70% based on 90 reviews.{{Cite web |title=Off the Map |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/off-the-map/reviews |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}} The site’s critics consensus reads, "Excellent performances mark this leisurely paced film."
Roger Ebert gave the film three and 1/2 stars out of four and praised the acting, particularly that of Joan Allen. Of Allen, he said her performance is one of "astonishing complexity. Here is a woman whose life includes acceptance of what she cannot change, sufficiency within her own skin and such simple pleasures as gardening in the nude. She is a good wife and a good mother, but not obviously; it takes us the whole movie to fully appreciate how profoundly she observes her husband and daughter, and provides what they need in ways that are below their radar."{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=March 10, 2005 |title=Beautiful route to discovery is 'Off the Map' |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/off-the-map-2005 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=RogerEbert.com |language=en}} He also praised Campbell Scott’s direction and Joan Ackermann’s script, saying they managed to avoid turning the characters into caricatures.
Critics also praised the cinematography by Juan Ruiz Anchía.{{Cite news |last=Howe |first=Desson |date=2005-12-25 |title='Off the Map': It's Worth the Trip |language=en-US |work=The Washington Post |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/23/AR2005122300344.html |access-date=2022-10-08 |issn=0190-8286}} Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post wrote "every frame of this lushly beautiful film reflects the potent, almost mystical, effect the region's plateaus, canyons and deserts have on their human inhabitants" and called the film "a ravishing ode to the frontier spirit."{{Cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Ann |date=2005-03-11 |title='Off the Map': In the Desert, A Family Blooms |language=en-US |work=The Washington Post |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/03/11/AR2005062900987.html |access-date=2022-10-08 |issn=0190-8286}}
Awards and nominations
- Golden Trailer Awards, 2005, nominated for Golden Trailer
- Sarasota Film Festival, 2004, won Audience Award{{cite news |title=Big Crowds, Big Stars, and Big Controversy at the 2004 Sarasota Film Fest |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2004/02/big-crowds-big-stars-and-big-controversy-at-the-2004-sarasota-film-fest-79149/ |access-date=8 October 2022 |work=IndieWire |date=February 6, 2004}}
- Taos Talking Pictures Film Festival, 2003, won Taos Land Grant Award{{Cite web |last= |date=2003-04-14 |title=The 9th Taos Talking-Picture Festival wrapup: OFF THE MAP; DEEP DOWN; WHALE RIDER; SECRET LIVES... |url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/14981 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Aint It Cool News |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=0332285|title=Off the Map}}
- [https://www.allmovie.com/movie/off-the-map-v278871 Off the Map] at AllMovie
- {{Rotten Tomatoes|off_the_map}}
Category:American films based on plays
Category:Films shot in New Mexico
Category:Films set in New Mexico
Category:2000s English-language films
Category:2003 independent films
Category:Films about depression