Nick Scott Reviews: Stillwater

Nick Scott was impressed by Stillwater and the performance of Matt Damon. Nick says if you want to see what Damon is capable of “go and see Stillwater”….

If you really want to see what Matt Damon is capable of, go and see the film Stillwater. I have not followed Damon’s career and the one film I went to see of his was the sci-fi/action film Elysium. Because of his role as Jason Bourne, he has become synonymous with “action” films. This one is different.

Damon plays an American oil rigger who goes to Marsielle in an endeavour to get his daughter released from prison for a murder she claims she did not commit.

The movie really centres on character development. The first part of the film is spent building Damon’s character, Bill Baxter, slowly, like a jigsaw. It only takes a few lies and the picture of the family-centred, Christian-American man comes apart. There is the shot at redemption through his friendship with a neighbour and her daughter.

Damon/Baxter’s daughter is played as an angry young woman by Abigail Breslin. Breslin is an experienced actress who gives a very good performance.

The city of Marsielle of almost another character. It’s not the nice scenic camera work but the atmosphere and the obvious different set of values; not always as easy to follow as Bill’s American family values.

If you’re looking for a Mat tDamon action flick – look elsewhere. Instead of being impressed by high speed car chases and gun fights, be impressed by quality acting.

Nick Scott Nick Scott has a B.A from The University of Waikato where he studied film under Sam Edwards. Nick has retained a keen interest in cinema. He studied Te Reo Maori at Te Wananga O Aotearoa part-time for 3 years and then from 2014 to 2016 Nick collaborated in writing “The Traveller’s guide to Maori Place Names”. Nick is a regular Film Reviewer on ARTbop. Nick has received occasional tickets from the wonderful Rialto Cinema in Downtown Tauranga!

And make sure you take a look at Nick Scott’s episodic novel on ARTbop WORDS – Puha “Temple’s Job”. Thirteen episodes following the tragedy, comedy and violence in the South Island of New Zealand