Lou is a film that makes you feel the cold and wet! This survival movie maintains and renews the genre at the same time. The humidity and the cold, because the film takes place during a storm in the forest. Allison Janney, an unsympathetic landlord and neighbor, rents a house to Jurnee Smollett and her little girl. The film begins by showing us the lives of the hillbillies as they prepare for the storm's arrival. But this is not a country drama, because these two women will each be confronted with their past, which will lead them in a chase in a wild environment (very beautiful scenery and landscapes of British Columbia). As such the plot is classic, and the film does not surprise in its dramatic rebounds, but the treatment and the environment make the whole exciting to follow. Moreover the film is visually successful. The film benefits from an impressive support from Allison Janney, who carries the film in a physical and charismatic role. Logan Marshall-Green excels in this feverish character who has lost all bearings with reality.
The film also excels, underneath its survival movie attributes, in questioning and challenging the mother-child relationship. It highlights the limits and consequences, and especially how far this relationship can go. In this respect the film is a good surprise and this makes it more interesting than many productions of the same genre.
