Where's the ugliness? This "Heron" is too safe for its own good

 

A hungarian family of six move to Vancouver Island, and watch their eldest, Jeremy (Edik Beddoes) act out. When the police bring him home one day, after a shoplifting incident, the social services get involved, and we learn that Jeremy only shares the same father with his other siblings - but not the mother.

Blue Heron is a passive movie, one where much is implied, but not a lot said. Feeling like a documentary, of sorts, it meanders about at snail's pace, and never manages to grip the audience in a meaningful way. The family, for all their proximity to the camera, never feel like authentic people; perhaps because when all was said and done, there was little insight into any particular character. It's as if they all knew a film crew was around, and wanted to be on their best behavior. 

One wonders how raw and authentic this could've been in a more daring filmmaker's hands; but alas, Sophy Romvari takes no chances.

☆☆