Stillwater is a crime drama film directed by filmmaker Tom McCarthy. McCarthy has directed the Oscar-winning best film, Spotlight (2015). The film’s story is said to have been inspired by a true incident that happened to an American citizen, Amanda Knox, who was imprisoned for being accused of murdering someone in Italy. The film stars veteran actors Matt Damon, Abigail Breslin, Camille Cottin, and Lilou Siouvaud. So, how is the filmmaker’s golden touch in packaging this interesting story?
Bill (Damon) is an oil miner whose daughter, Allison (Breslin), is in prison in Marseille, France, for being accused of murdering a college colleague. From time to time, Bill visits his daughter, who has been at the jail for five years. She then asked the judge to open her case through a closed letter because she found clues from her professor who knew someone who claimed to have killed her colleague. The judge refused due to a lack of evidence. To free his daughter, Bill ends up doing his investigation by following these small clues. In development, Bill was close to a mother and daughter, Virginie and Maya, who initially only helped Bill as a translator.
With down to earth story, the plot goes from time to time, following Bill. The story’s point is not on the investigative but is Bill’s closeness to Virginie and Maya. The tone and style of this film give the impression of a documentary rather than fiction. All the characters also act naturally without anything exaggerating. The figure of Bill, who is “very” US, religious, heroic, and “pro-Trump,” contrasts with Virginie, who is “very” French, bisexual, non-violent, and non-racist, with a philosophy of absolute freedom. The investigative side is just a side plot to present a drama that is very humanistic and touching.
Damon, this time acting, is a genuine American with a thick southern accent that we are certainly not used to seeing in his films. Meanwhile, his casting partner, Cottin, and especially the little one, Lilou, appeared extraordinary with strong chemistry with Bill. The three play so loosely that the audience sees a daily portrait of the “family” rather than a film story. The chemistry and the story are also supported through the aesthetic touch of the filmmaker, handheld camera, follow shot, plus natural color tones.
With the cast’s natural acting and the filmmaker’s unique touch, Stillwater presents a crime drama story with a down-to-earth script. The combination of “fiction (fictional)” and “reality” tones is deeply felt in the story, something we rarely feel when watching. Those of us who are stupefied with the daily life of this little “family” seem to wake up when Bill performs “Jason Bourne’s act” at the football stadium. Life will slap you harder if you make mistakes over and over again. What Bill dreamed of was actually in front of him. “Life is Brutal,” said Bill at the end of the shot. It is not the reality of life that is wrong, but how our perspective and attitude towards life make the difference. So much for American Dreams.
