Juan Barquin/Columnist
Director David Gordon Green’s had a strange career over the years, kicking off with some rather interesting dramas and then taking a turn for stoner comedies like “Pineapple Express” and “Your Highness.” It’s now, with a mixture of the light and dark, that Green makes one of his best works, “Prince Avalanche.”
Taking place over the summer of 1988, the film follows two highway road workers, played by Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch, who spend their time away from the world in the remains of nature once ravaged by wildfire. Their isolation, their personalities, and their troubles with women begin to hammer away at them, forcing them to confront each other and themselves.
We’ve seen Emile Hirsch as the lone wanderer of sorts, looking to connect with himself in “Into the Wild,” but here the tables are turned, with Paul Rudd taking on that role in one of his best performances to date. Even with a girlfriend back at home who he loves so dearly, his character Alvin longs for time to himself, spending his weekends in the woods thinking while Hirsch’s Lance heads off to the city for fun.
This results in just one of many Terrence Malick and Werner Herzog style segments where the score by Explosions in the Sky and David Wingo, as well as Tim Orr’s beautiful cinematography, is out on full display. Everyone’s work on the film comes together so nicely, with both of the actors really interacting with the nature surrounding them in the best way possible.
It’s undeniable that “Prince Avalanche” barely features any plot at all, making it hard for some to get used to its artistic and minimalist qualities, but it’s endearing to watch these two men fumble. The way they reverse their roles as the story progresses and Hirsch’s man-child in particular grows showcases just what a solid study of two characters this is.
Compared to the insane and crude humor that came with his last few works, Green’s humor here is subtler and embedded into the bittersweet story he’s presenting. It’s first and foremost a story of exploration and reflection, with themes of death and identity hanging over our heads throughout.
Ultimately, “Prince Avalanche” is a surprisingly refreshing film. As much as it’s marketed as a comedy, David Gordon Green’s film is a rather introspective and emotional work of art that will certainly surprise those who have only seen the director’s recent work.
juan.barquin@fiusm.com
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