Movie Review: River and Tides

Story: I've been searching for this film since last June when a friend in SF gave me the heads up about this documentary. It has finally appeared in NY (at the Film Forum) and I ran to see it. It is wonderful. How do the following words sound to you? Uplifting, fanciful, graceful, magical, enthralling, marvelous, meditative and - cool!

German filmmaker Thomas Reidelsheimer presents us with a non-preachy, visually stunning portrait of Scottish sculptor Andy Goldsworthy as he creates his art. What is unusual about his work is that it is created - to be destroyed. Not by human hands but by nature, time, tides, wind, etc. He creates his magic with the use of only natural materials in the outdoors where the elements then do their part. His philosophy is that part of the creative process of the piece is the destruction of the piece as well - by time and tide.

If this film comes to your neighborhood, drop everything, throw caution to the wind, (Goldsworthy does) and run to see it. I guarantee you will feel better afterwards.

For a peek at his work:

Go to: Andy Goldsworthy's landscapes of the mind

http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues97/feb97/golds.html

Acting: Nature acts perfectly, as always and Goldsworthy is simply doing his thing - very well, I might add.

Predilections: I love art, nature and well made documentaries. This one hit the Trifecta with me.

Critters: Some gorgeous Alpine cows with fabulous coats, sheep (we even get to marvel at the birth of a lamb) and the tail end of Goldsworthy's black dog.

Food: Breakfast gruel in the Goldsworthy home.

Visual Art: An abundance of uplifting art, however transitory. The images are seared into my memory.

Blatant Product Placement: A big plug for Mother Nature.

Soundtrack: In harmony with the art.

Opening Titles: Simple. We are thrust into Goldsworthy's creation of an ice sculpture. I was hooked from the first frame.

Theater Audience: Packed - with a very appreciative audience.

Quirky Meter: 0 - although for some people, I am sure the idea of art that has impermanence, this film would enter onto a high quirky scale rating.

Oscar Worthy: Yes. It has already won Best Documentary at the recent San Francisco Int'l Film Festival.

Nit Picking: Who am I to argue with Mother Nature?

Big Screen or Rental: Big Screen, if you can. You can aslo see one of Goldsworthy's sculptures in person by driving up to Storm King Arts Center in Mountainville, NY.

Length: 90 fleeting minutes

LOBO HOWLS: 9