Joel Edgerton plays a logger in this drama that starts in the early 20^th Century and moves forward. His respite from the hard work of felling timber is to return to his wife (Felicity Jones) and child. The inevitable hard times increase his eventual solemn despair. Director/co-writer Clint Bentley echoes the graceful style of Terrence Malick: lovely visuals with lots of glowing warm light, continual narration (Will Patton) and a self-consciously poetic style. While it is often beautiful and expressive, the overt cinematic approach calls attention to itself. There are even regular dream sequences that repeat the same moments in a more artsy way. Sadly, the film is mostly about style without the emotional heft to make it warm or touching. Philosophical, plaintive, ethereal expression. (2 / 5)

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