Let Him Go (2020) * * * 1/2

 

Directed by:  Thomas Bezucha

Starring:  Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lesley Manville, Jeffrey Donovan, Kayli Carter, Ryan Bruce, Will Brittain, Booboo Stewart

The serenity of the Blackledge's life on their Montana farm circa 1961 is soon to be shattered by the death of their son James in a horse riding accident.   Their daughter-in-law Lorna (Carter), mother of Martha's (Lane) and George's (Costner) grandson Jimmy, soon marries the mysterious Donnie Weboy (Brittain).   The newlyweds move into an apartment in town and Martha and George's days are spent either doting on their grandson, or biding their time until the next time they can dote on their beloved Jimmy.   

One day, by happenstance, Martha witnesses Donnie smacking the three-year-old Jimmy for dropping some ice cream on the sidewalk and then doing the same to Lorna.   Martha is horrified and soon after goes to Lorna's apartment only to find they've all moved to lord knows where.   Martha, knowing the danger her grandson may be in, packs up to find him.   George, a retired sheriff, goes along because he knows Martha so well, and also knows she may find herself in more trouble than she expects.

The plot is the odyssey of Let Him Go, but the subtext is the horrors to which abuse can subject someone.   Jimmy has already tasted some from his stepfather, and when the Blackledges' journey leads them to the Weboy family in North Dakota, and a tense and soon terrifying meeting with the Weboy clan led by the ruthless matriarch Blanche (Manville).  The Blackledges witness the future awaiting Jimmy and also what systemic abuse has done to Blanche's own sons.    The Blackledges are in for an uphill battle.   George, in one line delivered while listening to a preacher on the car radio, suggests his own horrid, abused past.  

The aura of danger and tragedy permeates Let Him Go.  It is not a thriller, but depicts a journey which may not have a happy ending for all.   Martha and George are loyal to each other, and their steadiness may be the only weapon they have against the wildcard Weboys, who treat Jimmy not as a beloved family member, but as another soldier to mold into their small army of terror.    Lane and Costner are sympathetic, compassionate, and we care deeply for them.   They meet a wayward, frightened young Native American man (Stewart) who lives alone on the prairie and whose back story further illustrates the ill effects of abuse. 

Manville has the showiest role, a departure from her Oscar-nominated turn in Phantom Thread, where she quietly and coldly manipulated her brother's romantic and professional life.   She creates a more open ruthlessness here, and we see how she shaped her family into becoming scared, loyal servants.  Terrible events befall George and Martha, but I'll be damned if it isn't stirring to see George spring into action for one last run at rescuing Jimmy from an unacceptable fate.  It reminds you of a classic Western.  Let Him Go is ominous, eerie, punctuated by moments of nasty violence, beautifully photographed, and above all compelling.   The title suggests what a defeatist would say.   For Martha and George, such words are not possible, especially considering the future Jimmy faces.