Mom's Minute

 

Introduction to Driftless Amazon Prime Video Movie Review

 

In keeping with the 4th of July, I decided to watch a holiday movie. I began my movie search with Netflix, which to my surprise did not have any of the regular big 4th of July movies, such as Independence Day, etc. This led me to search Amazon Prime Video for a 4th of July movie. After scrolling for a short time, the 2020 movie “Driftless” caught my eye.  

 

Would I recommend you watch the Driftless Amazon Prime VIdeo movie on the 4th of July or whenever you like?  Check out my movie review of the Driftless Amazon Prime Video film to find out.

 

By the way, I watched Driftless on Amazon Prime Video; however, this film may be streaming on other services as well.

 

Synopsis of Driftless Amazon Prime Video Movie

 

The Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie centers around the daily work activities of Park Rangers, two of whom are considered law enforcement and the others as staff. Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie starts with a meet and greet of a new summer employee to the camp, followed by customers visiting the park, for example hikers, camperss, etc. and other people who were not friendly in any sense of the word.

 

Conflicts in Driftless Amazon Prime Video Movie

 

During most movies, there has to be conflict, which was true also for this film. The conflict surrounds the unruly visitors and escalates to a kidnapping by a park visitor who pretended to be a Park Ranger.

 

The common denominator through all of the above is the main character, Ranger Nova played by Monique Candelaria. She is new to the Park Ranger law enforcement job and is hesitant to give out citations and seems to be timid and unassuming. Her Park Ranger partner, Ranger Cody played by Mickey O’Sullivan –  by contrast, appears to be just the opposite.

 

However, instead of these two characters clashing, they seemed to complement each other, with Ranger Cody unfortunately, appearing to carry the heavy load so to speak and Monique Candelaria’s character stays in the background until she did something that was unexpected of her. By doing so, she in turn became a local hero. You will know what I’m referring to if you watch the Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie.

 

 

Film-Making Quality of Driftless Amazon Prime Video Movie

 

Usually when I watch a movie, I get involved in what is going on and do not necessarily notice so much the set, the environment, etc. because I am so much attuned to the storylines, action, etc. However, I detected right away that the Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie played more like a public service announcement film instead of a movie drama.

 

 Additionally, the acting skills displayed were subpar for most of the characters. Furthermore, the situations seemed to be forced. Ironically, the kidnapping victim who was rescued and did not seem to be afraid after being kidnapped -- had to console Monique Candelari's character when she had a claustrophobic attack. 

 

Towards that end, the movie periodically shows flashbacks of Monique Candelaria’s character as a child, cowering in a dark corner because her father was punishing her by forcing her to stay alone in a closed area. This psychological angle, in my opinion, did not add to the overall storyline.

 

Recommendations for Improvements to the Driftless Amazon Prime Video Movie 

 

Even though the timing of the Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie was the 4th of July holiday with the film's timeline starting on June 30, I would categorize this movie more of a Columbus Day or Indigenous People's Day type film. This was due to the many instances of one of the rangers recounting what happened between the settlers and the Indigenous people.

 

I recommend the movie cast be composed of skilled actors who have some professional acting credits under their belts. Most of the dialogue between the characters was not natural and seemed amateurish.

 

 

In the Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie there was nothing to set the atmosphere of the movie. To set the tone of the movie, the film should have a music soundtrack, even a subtle one -- playing throughout the movie scenes in the background.  

 

There was an exception when music played in the background. This happened when a park ranger noticed someone had entered a cabin that had been locked previously. At this moment, there was a short selection of background music, but for the most part, there was no music setting the tone for the film.

 

Instead of talking about some of the events that occurred via dialogue with the characters, the writer/director should take the time and money to show the action actually happening. For example, during the unfortunate incident that happened near the lake, the director should show part of the lake instead of having the two rangers discuss what happened. After all, the Driftless Amazon Privme Video film is supposedly a movie instead of a documentary.

 

Assessment Of the Driftless Amazon Prime Video Movie

 

The Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie seemed to me to be a first time effort of a movie-maker, instead of someone who has done these type projects before. For this reason, the movie Driftless did not keep my interest. In fact I kept checking to see when the movie would end before the film was half-way through. 

 

A positive of the movie, Driftless, is that the film is relatively short on Amazon Prime Video. A negative is the movie drags along, is slow moving, with unrealistic situations and disjointed scenes. On top of these negatives was the constant interrupting of the movie throughout by ads which made the film seem to drag on even longer.

 

The bottom line is I suggest that you pass on watching the Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie if you plan to watch an entertaining film on the 4th of July or some other time. You may want to stick with some of your traditional  favorite holiday or regular movies instead.

 

 

Rating of Driftless Amazon Prime Video Movie

 

Based on a rating of 1 star to 5 stars with 5 stars being the highest, I rate Driftless Amazon Prime Video movie a low 2 stars.