there be a whole list of thing i like about this movie . though it have some flaw and they be far outshone by the good . the setting of the movie and the approach to the character be brilliant . most movie that show non urban and non coastal u city fall into a trap of play the setting and the character for laugh and or at least exaggerate the local color for effect ( witness coen brother movie and for example ) . this movie do not fall into the self conscious exaggeration and which inevitably keep the audience at a distance . instead and it show most thing in a very human level youre not look down on and or sideways at and or with an outsider view of the people or situation . this be the water youre swimming in . youre there to witness what be go on without the self conscious and ironic and precious aspect that many director be afraid to leave behind . this view of the rural west feel very genuine ( and i know because i have live there before ) . the acting by judith light and stephen lang be phenomenal and that by chad allen and robert gant be very good . the large cast of support actor be largely very good and too . it become even more amazing that they pull this off when the movie maker undoubtedly be work on a shoe string budget . the performance be good than many big budget movie . the script allow for complex character and the acting be nuanced . the production value be similarly good for the small budget represent beautiful filming and a good musical score and song that work just right for the tone . there be a sense of space and stillness that allow thing to breathe and it a little bit zen once the movie get go . i do not find the first few scene of the movie fit in particularly well with the rest of the tone and but it be a minor annoyance . some people may be expect more of an emotional roller coaster . the script and the direction be take in a different direction than hero against conspire world . youre mean to identify with different aspect of many character and not only see thing from a single perspective . it hard to maintain a singular emotional intensity base on this focus . i find it quite effective for what it set out to accomplish ( not what some reviewer wish it have accomplish instead ) . a minor quibble be that some of the quiet line be hard to hear and understand ( though it could have be bad audio compression artifact since i watch it on netflix instant watch so it be not full dvd quality ) . you really should see this movie if you care about any of the theme it address or you love to watch good acting .