Tomato Red

If you're into action films, this is not for you. If you're into thoughtful films and willing to meet the characters where they are at in their reality, and you're open to the fact that this represents a plight that many humans are born into, then this is worthy of your time. You really can't go too far wrong when Julia Garner or Anna Friel decide a fim is worth participating in.

My biggest problem with the film is not in the actors, the characters, the writing, or the cinematography. It's that since I was raised in the Ozark and have lived in California, I know that the mountains in the background look more like the Central Valley of California than they will ever resemble the Ozarks. They may have gotten away with it if it weren't for the wide shots, but it also looks too dry. The reality is that this film was shot in Canada. I wish the scouts would have researched the terrain and geography of the Ozarks better because if you're going to say a film is based in Missouri, in the United States and it's a major component to the plot, then it visually needs to be believable. The mountains in the background completely took me out of the film. At least Julia moved on to the acclaimed TV series "Ozark" where even though it's not shot in the Ozarks, it sure as heck looks like it because of all the location research they did to ensure it has an authentic look and feel for sense of place.