**Mild Spoilers**
I'd like to give this film a positive review. It's low in budget, pure in heart, and earnest in intent. It's a film about friendship, acceptance, following your dreams and staying true to yourself. What's not to like? A lot, unfortunately. Intent will only carry a film so far, and it can't excuse a non-sensical plot filled with contrivances and clichés. A retirement home sends a key employee on a wild goose chase, with the company shuttle no less? And the employee happens upon that goose on a random riverbank seemingly in the middle of nowhere? And then she just decides to go with them instead of calling the police in a situation that's at worst a kidnapping and at best just plain dangerous? And she doesn't even rethink this decision after they're nearly shot and killed by third party pursuers seemingly intent on revenge? I know we're going for the heartstrings here and, I'll admit, there are moments that succeed in strumming some chords. But these moments ultimately succumb to a nagging banality, and the meat-and-potatoes filmmaking doesn't do anything to add some much-needed spice. The cherry on top is a puzzlingly abrupt ending that fails to deliver on the catharsis the film seems to be aiming for. An unfortunate misfire on a well-meaning premise.
Strong 2/5
I'd like to give this film a positive review. It's low in budget, pure in heart, and earnest in intent. It's a film about friendship, acceptance, following your dreams and staying true to yourself. What's not to like? A lot, unfortunately. Intent will only carry a film so far, and it can't excuse a non-sensical plot filled with contrivances and clichés. A retirement home sends a key employee on a wild goose chase, with the company shuttle no less? And the employee happens upon that goose on a random riverbank seemingly in the middle of nowhere? And then she just decides to go with them instead of calling the police in a situation that's at worst a kidnapping and at best just plain dangerous? And she doesn't even rethink this decision after they're nearly shot and killed by third party pursuers seemingly intent on revenge? I know we're going for the heartstrings here and, I'll admit, there are moments that succeed in strumming some chords. But these moments ultimately succumb to a nagging banality, and the meat-and-potatoes filmmaking doesn't do anything to add some much-needed spice. The cherry on top is a puzzlingly abrupt ending that fails to deliver on the catharsis the film seems to be aiming for. An unfortunate misfire on a well-meaning premise.
Strong 2/5