Those Who Wish Me Dead

3 out 5 stars

Throughout cinematic history, the wild frontier has been a focal point for explorers, cowboys and those seeking a new life. Even though times have changed, this inner desire to tame the seemingly untamable still compels filmmakers. At the forefront of neo-Western narratives is writer/director Taylor Sheridan whose films (Wind River, Hell or High Water) and television shows (Yellowstone) tap into this deep-seeded need to survive on the frontier. His latest endeavour has his stars attempting to tame the bushfires that ravage this area of the world. All the while honouring the lives of these smokejumpers as they confront the latest threat from man and nature.

Angelina Jolie (Maleficent) embodies the persona of veteran firefighter and wilderness survival expert Hannah Faber. She and her team are the first line of defence in the bushfire season as they jump into the fire zone to battle the blazing infernos. Throughout her career, she has proven her ability to lead these brave souls, until a tragedy occurs during a recent forest battle against the flames. This tragic turn causes her to be relegated to operating a lookout tower during the fire season. While in isolation, Hannah must work through her mental demons. Until the painful silence is disrupted by a boy that is covered in blood and is looking for someone he can trust.

Connor Casserly (Finn Little) was travelling with his father, a forensic accountant, across the country to escape hired killers who wanted to eliminate him. The pair attempt to get to their relatives who run a survivalist school in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, but the hitmen get to them first. Even though the young boy escapes with the information that the men want, Connor is left to fend for himself in the wilds of the mountains. As he follows the waterways towards civilisation, this is when Hannah manages to come across his path. Each of them must determine what to do in this situation, but they quickly realise that they will have to trust one another if they are to survive the threat that is coming their way.

Along with providing a brutally original take on the Western, Sheridan shows that he is comfortable introducing strong female leads. Sicario was how he began his screenwriting career. Emily Blunt became one of the best characters the writer introduced into this genre. He does the same with his portrayal of Hannah Faber, who manages to be smart, tough and vulnerable. Even though Jolie does not embody this role as convincingly as Blunt did in Sicario, the character was the right person to become the catalyst for this wilderness encounter.

The academy-Award winning actress does her best to become the action hero we saw in Salt. Still, she struggles to fulfil the role of firefighter and survivalist. What does save the project is the supporting cast and some of Sheridan’s inner circle. A mainstay in the director’s projects, Jon Bernthal is joined by Medina Senghore as the sheriff and his capable wife. This couple will bring the crowd to their feet as they prove their survivalist abilities and do all they can to defeat the assassins. While Finn Little does manage to hold his own against the seasoned cast that surrounds him. These portrayals work to complement the intensity of each scene and the maddening escalation of the story arc. Despite some miscasting issues, the film contains all of the necessary elements to satisfy the director's fans and that of the lead actress.

Reel Dialogue: The value of self-pity

While Hannah remains in isolation she tends to wallow in self-pity over her past struggles. Until she comes upon, Conner Casserly, who has lost his parents and all he has known in his life at the ripe old age of 12. With this realisation, the firefighter says that it is impossible to feel any self-pity in light of the young man’s tragic example. This proves to be one of the most endearing and comical scenes in the movie and is the turning point in their relationship. It is this scene that should make us all wonder how ineffective self-pity can be in our lives.

When we indulge ourselves and take a deep dive into self-pity, we position ourselves as the centre of our universe. Is that where we are meant to be? The world would tell you that you are the most essential thing in your life, but that is not true. Even if you are unwilling to admit it, we are meant to look at others as more important than ourselves. Even more importantly that God should be at the centre of our world. While self-pity whispers in our ears that we deserve to have a better life and that everything revolves around us.

Yet, the Bible tells us not to think of ourselves more highly than we should.* For those claiming to be Christians, we should be humble and not place ourselves above God or anyone else. (Luke 14:8-11) Yet, we do feel self-pity sometimes, right? Well, it might be worth looking to someone else to realise that self-pity has no place in our lives. Today, it might be the day to look to Jesus to remind us that we have little to complain about in this life.

* For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3