Off the Map Movie Review 2003

Folksy, quirky melodrama gets an extra bone for the strength of its performances. In 1974, eccentric IRS agent William Gibbs (True-Frost) is assigned to audit the Groden family and manages to stumble across their isolated New Mexico desert house. The Grodens, who live off the grid, are in the midst of a crisis. Grizzled Charley (Elliott) has slipped into clinical depression and hasn't spoken in months while free-spirited, unsentimental wife Arlene (Allen) gardens in the nude, and their preteen daughter Bo (de Angelis) longs for friends and a "normal" life. Gibbs becomes so involved with the Grodens that he throws his job aside to stay with them and his presence alters the family's precarious balance. Film is narrated by the grown-up Bo (Brenneman); Ackermann adapted from her play.

Distribution

Not Yet Released

Available on DVD
Running time 111 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Adapted from a Play, Period Piece: 1970s, Deserts, Family Drama, Taxing Situations, Period Piece: 1970s

Screenplay

Joan Ackermann

Cast

Joan Allen, Sam Elliott, J.K. Simmons, Amy Brenneman, Valentina de Angelis, Jim True-Frost

Cinematography

Juan Ruiz-Anchia

Director

Campbell Scott

Music

Gary DeMichele

Other

William Sarokin, Marc Campbell, Andy Keir, Amy Westcott, Chris Shriver

Producer

Campbell Scott, George VanBuskirk, Holedigger Films