October Country, documents a family that lives in a self defeating pattern of hopelessness. The only solace from the self inflicted deluge of doom is the smart and lucid little girl who sees the absurdity in the psychic misery that surrounds her daily existence. But by the end you find out her fate may be sealed too. But then maybe not. She was so self-knowing and aware of the truth of her situation--which is of great value. Self awareness and vision to see the possibilities beyond the inherited fray hold the light that can break the cycle of despair. Paralleling narratives play out among the family members. Like how the father, who is a haunted veteran of wars, finds solace and detachment sitting in a darkened room watching old war movies. But he despises his sister who prides herself a witch. They're both retreat to a fantasy land in order to hide from the reality of their lives. His is in the past. Hers is in the ether. They both have more in common than they will admit. All of this is very well laid out and edited. And the filming style style is so sad and pretty. Random things are imbued with hidden meaning. Halloween party decorations somehow hold the weight of a family attempting to mend itself hidden behind masks. Hiding from themselves.
