Good luck trying to classify David Gordon Green’s “Prince Avalanche”. Green directed and wrote the screenplay for this odd little independent film that is part drama, part comedy, and part offbeat character study. It was inspired by an Icelandic picture titled “Either Way” only here it takes place in an isolated woodland area in Texas. It’s a 2013 film that didn’t get much press and brought in less than $200,000 during its very limited release. But now word of the film is starting to ease out and that’s a good thing.
Paul Rudd plays the starched, tightly wound Alvin. He’s a highway worker who hires his girlfriend’s airheaded but well-intentioned brother Lance (Emile Hirsch) to help him paint yellow traffic lines on a long stretch of isolated roads. The roads wind through a forest area that has recently been ravaged by wildfires. This is the dreary, near apocalyptic landscape where the entire film takes place. We just follow along watching Alvin and Lance go through their workday. We sit with them at their camp enjoying a plate of grilled fish and coffee. The story is truly that simple but Green is quite clever in how he opens up these characters to his audience. It’s amazing what all we pick up just by listening to their many conversations.
There are a number of pleasant but telling scenes early in the film. It becomes clear that Alvin and Lance are distant. In many ways they’re very different people and they obviously don’t have a longstanding relationship. Watching the slow-moving male bonding is good fun and it tosses in several well-conceived laughs. But it also connects us to these characters so that we are invested once things get rough. And they do get rough. The two personalities clash and some humorous scenes follow. But these problems end up revealing a lot to each one about themselves. That’s when the true meaning of this film surfaces.
This is a slow and meditative story that spends a lot of time on simple observation. Just watching and listening. Both Rudd and Hirsch are fantastic They both unwrap these two characters exposing their charms and faults with great clarity. Alvin is a man who desperately needs to break out of this lonely world he has created for himself. In it he sees what he wants and ignores important elements to life. Lance needs to realize he is no longer a child. He has to grow up and take responsibility. These two very different men with very different problems are actually in a very similar boat.
“Prince Avalanche” is an independent film through and through. David Gordan Green adapts and directs this light but crafty picture that made me laugh often. But it also develops two really good lead characters who despite their eccentricities are very human in more regards than you may think. This is a tightly made film that has heart and humor. I really appreciate that.
Keith & the Movies 
I’ve been interested in seeing this for a while but was always kind of wary… Your review definitely confirmed I need to check it out.
Thanks so much for taking time to read and share some comments. This really was a surprising and well made picture. It’s a small independent film through and through. There’s a really good story at the heart of it and it has a dry wit that I instantly latched onto.
I hope you’ll give it a shot and if you do please come back and tell me what you think.
Nice to see Green back to his old ways, but by the same token, also still combining his new ways as well. Good review Keith.
Thanks man. This was a real treat. It’s nothing grand or monumental but it’s just good storytelling and great character development. Toss in some good humor on the side and you have an enjoyable experience.
I haven’t heard of this one before, or the director. I do like character driven stuff with some humor and heart so I might check this out some day.
I definitely recommend it. It is a little slow at times but I found it to be pretty rewarding. I watched it a couple of months ago on Netflix streaming. It should still be there if you’re interested.
I’ve heard some decent things about this one. Looks like a quirky little story. I reckon I’d really like it. Cheers for reminding me to check it out!
Oh yes it’s definitely worth checking out. Quirky is a fitting description. But there really is more under the surface. Hope you’ll give it a shot.
Great write up. This sounds like something I would like. Will have to check it out.
Definitely watch it. It’s available on Netflix or at least it was a few months ago when I watched it. It’s a very bare movie at first glance but it ends up being a very sharp and well written story.
Great review. Glad to see that you enjoyed this! I must say that I was NOT a fan of it at all.
So you didn’t like all of the intense macho male bonding? 😉
LOOOOL! Imagine, maybe that’s what I didn’t like!
Not really sure, my other half and I watched it and I daresay he disliked it more than me. It was just.. boring. Which sucked, cause I liked the cast!
Too much muscle and testosterone for you! 😀
TESTOSTERONE EVERYWHERE!!!
Though I did have a ball when they let loose and started drinking!
I’ve come across Prince Avalanche a few times but for some reason I couldn’t muster up any interest in seeing it. I’m slightly intrigued by your high rating here though, so maybe one day I’ll give it a rent Keith.
I watched it on Netflix streaming and thought it was pretty good. I watched it a second time and I had an even better impression. It’s a slow burn but I really got into these two unusual characters.
Fine review sir! Good to see you enjoyed this one. I thought it was pretty good myself. Odd little movie but strangely captivating.
It really is an odd little movie. But I couldn’t help it, I was drawn to the dry conversational humor and the characters who are actually deeper then we first may think.
“This is a slow and meditative story” It was definitely slow and although the acting was fine I was very bored by it. Not too much happened really so I couldn’t appreciate that.
That’s definitely fair. My wife had the same reaction. I think the reason it works for me is because I found the dry humor to be pretty funny in spots. I also appreciated how the story unfolded the characters and unearthed who they really were.
Yes! Glad you liked this Keith, I thought it was a great little film. The ‘nothing much happens’ genre of film are actually usually my faves. Especially when they have subtle hints of comedy as well. Another Rudd film last year, All is Bright, had a similar impact on me. Not as good as this, mind.
I haven’t heard of All is Bright. Completely missed it. I’ll need to check it out. Does Rudd have the killer mustache in it too? 😉
Haha, no not in that one. It is set at Christmas time and also has Paul Giamatti in it. It wasn’t exactly a cheerful movie but I enjoyed it.
I liked a lot of this one a lot, as well. The characters and performances are top-flight. So is much of Green’s direction.
I just personally felt the flick ended without resolution. And thereby didn’t resonate.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it for the most part. Some have said it didn’t work for them at all and I can understand that. My wife wasn’t crazy about it but I really got into it.
I wasn’t sure about this one. More often than not, I got frustrated by the pair.
Then as my attention waned, I noticed the striking similarity between Emile Hirsch and Jack Black now. From then on, my attention was gone.
Awww, why did you have to mention Jack Black? Now I’m soured towards it too! 😉
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