On Blue Ruin

Experiencing something just shy of the hype of Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), Blue Ruin is another American indie with a director who writes and performs several other tasks and has received a great deal of almost universal praise. It is pleasing and, for future filmmakers, aspirational to see these low budget films break into an international market.

Blue Ruin is better than Beasts, although less experimental (even though it is a near silent piece). Writer/director Jeremy Saulnier’s skill in storytelling is clear as his camera slowly, but purposefully explores small town America. The central performance of Macon Blair is impressive; his everyman crusader proving far more believable than those immortalised by Washington and Scott. Whereas Beasts had a set vision and a clear metaphorical message, Blue Ruin walks an at times uncomfortable line between Tarantino style violence and Coenesque black comedy, never quite achieving either. Its vengeful narrative, while engaging, is also slightly aimless. However, there are plenty of good signs here and Saulnier could soon be in the same frame as Jeff Nichols.

Saulnier and Blair are both talents to look out for and Blue Ruin has moments that will stick with audiences for a long time. Worth a cinema trip.