Written and directed by Gavin Fields, in 1948, the Trouths are facing no income and the hottest summer on record. When their estranged son inexplicably returns, the apartment is full again – but is it big enough for the gambling, trauma, and substantial life insurance policy that comes in his wake?. Starring: Colleen Madden, Houston Settle, Markwood Fields, Shelby Grady, James Ridge, Shuler Hensley and Moses Jones.
There are a lot of different aspects that come with the territory of a period film, it’s a tricky task to fully evoke the era and yet impressively with Brutal Season, Gavin Fields manages to achieve that on two fronts. Not only does it feel hugely fitting of the 1940s from the tone to the set, to the costuming but it almost sets itself up as if it’s a play taking place in the era, which creates a really interesting blend of atmospheres. It really does dive right into that feeling of the stage, the setup being in one singular location and the way that the dialogue is written with lots of sentimentality, reminiscing and monologues. You can tell that Fields had a strong idea for his vision of the film and stuck with it throughout.
Steven Carmona’s cinematography is another good element that pushes the 1940s feel, the colouring and depth of the aesthetic. The story itself also matches the era, it’s tapping into the old-school style of cinema with simpler, tense and twisty dramas. Fields’ direction does a good job of following that changing tone, a lot more movement in the casual family moments then a lot of stillness when things intensify. However, the pacing can be quite slow and the progression feels like it needed to hit a few more steps to deepen the thrill. It holds a solid energy but with that gradual style to the story, it’s missing something to liven things up, or perhaps lean more keenly into its dark side.
Again, it keeps the evocation of the era going strong with the performances, the entire ensemble are hitting that key note but especially Colleen Madden. She creates the classic matriarch, of their time being very submissive and constantly grateful or helpful. Whereas Shelby Grady as her daughter exemplifies the young women of the time committed to progress and questioning that box women have been put in, encouraging her mother to do the same. James Ridge brings a lot of sincerity and brokenness, there’s a huge vulnerability to his character which is compelling. Markwood Fields adds the touch of naivety, youth and of being easily influenced. While Houston Settle leads the way with a lot of brute force, it can feel like he’s trying too hard at times but in fairness, it does also feel right on the money for the style of performance you’d find in the 1940s.
Brutal Season does a fantastic job of tapping into the look and feel of the 1940s, while tipping its cap to plenty of classic film directors along the way. It can move a bit too slowly and feel like it’s not quite bringing enough unexpected elements to the table but that doesn’t undermine that it holds a great amount of tension and presence. It perfectly evokes the feel of the stage, the ensemble all work together wonderfully and the film has strong cinematography, set and costume work. Gavin Fields’s direction also manages to add a surprising amount of space and movement within such a limited location, to keep things from ever feeling claustrophobic or repetitive.
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