Redemption is something I think we all long for. I think it's something that most of us aim to get. In the opening moments of The Quarry, a drifter (Shea Whingdom) meets a pastor (Bruno Bichir) his own journey to take over a new house of worship. While the drifter remains an enigma, the two eventually reach a sequence where they end up in a quarry. The pastor needs to rest from driving. He says something that is rather profound to the drifter. He says something to the extent of confession's power. The pastor admits that he has a drinking problem, then continues with the source of said problem.
Think about it for a second, though. There is power in confession. I honestly thought about my own struggles, throughout the years, with depression. Depression has this habit of convincing you that nobody cares or that nobody understands. Depression becomes a root for something deeper. Something that holds power - if you allow it. That power eventually can, and sometimes will lead to deadlier habits like self-mutilation, addiction or suicide. I want to speak directly to you, the reader, as the pastor spoke to the drifter. There is power in confession. It's the first step towards breakthrough.
The moment our vulnerability comes out is the exact moment where healing can begin. From someone who has gone through depression, thought about suicide, cut himself, struggled with addiction & kept it secret - it does more harm than it does good. Those scars have roots. I want to encourage, no challenge, you to reach out if this is you. We have a plethora of resources at victimsandvillains.net/hope. Though, that is really the journey for the drifter throughout The Quarry. While in one hand the film is a murder mystery, it's also a character's journey to come to grips with past sins and finding redemption.
Whingdom's character eventually takes the place of the pastor in a small town. While Whingdom can successfully establish himself as a tortured soul, he never grows past that. There is no real arc or real emotion that comes from Whingdom. This isn't inherently a bad trait because he absolutely knocks it out of the park in terms of acting. A majority of his performance relies so heavily on his facial emotion and reaction with other characters. Whingdom does a fantastic job of doing so. However, his lack of development is a bit of a bigger issue. Though, that comes down to the film's script by Scott Teems & Andrew Brotzman. It feels like every time audiences are given something that could a tad of growth - he reverts back to self-pity. In one way, that continues to make Whingdom a fascinating character study to watch unfold.
In others, it can make the character feel flat and one-noted. Perhaps, the most well-rounded character is the small town's sheriff, played by Michael Shannon. Shannon gives an eerily uncomfortable performance. Arguably one of the best, if not THE best, within The Quarry. Shannon just seems to be the most fleshed-out character within the movie. Shannon is captivating. While Shannon is the foundation of the movie, he alone can't save some of the film's bigger issues. The film will be identified as a thriller. However, it never really raises anything thrilling. In one respect, it is a character study for redemption that is compelling. Some choices of said character, warrant elements of a thriller. Yet, it never elevates to such elements. When the two meet each other within the finale of the movie it feels sloppy and poorly constructed.
Overall, The Quarry, is home to compelling performances but lost in its identity. A story of redemption that finds its strength in a character study. With Shea Whingdom at its center, establishes The Quarry as compelling cinema. Whingdom comes across a bit mixed. His performance is nothing less than astonishing, yet one-note. A lack of character development holds him back. Mix that in with its desire to be a thriller - and viewers are in for a disjointed final result. Michael Shannon's performance and arc is worth the watch. Shannon delivers a gripping performance that allows Whingdom to grow, however small that truly is. The tension between the two is one of the film's strongest weapons. Even with its' issues, The Quarry still has a lot to offer thanks to its themes and performances.
RORSCHACH RATING:
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and you are struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message or tweet to us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written and produced by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey. Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Beggars. The Quarry is property of Lionsgate Pictures. We do not own nor claim any rights.
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