Druid Peak (2014)

Such a wonderful movie. I very very rarely give anything 10 stars but this was first rate. Thank you Marni Zelnick for this absolute gem! Why are there not more movies like this? The story is compelling; messed up teenage kid is sent to his Father in Wyoming and finds himself and starts to heal from his former life of meaningless mediocrity. I spent 3 months living around Jackson where this was filmed and it is gorgeous scenery. Excellent writing; very good acting by all. I particularly liked the role of the Father. He knew exactly how to act and speak with his errant son. An example of good parenting. For me, the movie underlines the need for our young people and children to be out in nature and among wild animals most of the time. Being stuck in classrooms is not an education. What this young man had in Wyoming was an education and what all young people need, in my opinion. I absolutely LOVED the teaching the Father gives on the ride, explaining how it was only when the wolves came back to Yellowstone that the behavior of the elk, moose changed resulting in more trees, plants, birds and thus showing how we really are all connected.. but he waited until his son had been nurtured enough by the land, the wolves and the experience before speaking these words. Thank you so much Ms. Zelnick... this has become one of my favorite movies ever. Please make something else with as much heart set again somewhere where it's still wild and free.

When Wildlife causes Evolution. Review of Druid Peak. In my Blog: http://librosyadolescentes.blogspot.com.es/... Sorry for my English.When in Gladiator (2000) by Ridley Scott, Maximus (Russell Crowe) returns to Rome for the first time, Lucio Vero (Spencer Treat Clark), the young nephew of Caesar, comes to visit him. Lucio, twelve or thirteen, is attracted to the cages where the fearsome gladiators are exposed to the Roman populace like a Zoo. Slowly, through the bars, he discovers the gaze of Gladiator observing him as an imprisoned animal; when their eyes meet, Lucio and Maximum enter into dialog without a word; when he discovers in the darkness to Russell Crowe, young Spencer Treat Clark do not see a man or a soldier humiliated; he discovers a lion. A caged lion full of hatred and thirst for revenge for the death of his family . That contact with the small Lucio begins to work the transformation of Gladiator, turning again in person.It seems that the New York actor who has participated to the orders of Clint Eastwood in Mystic River (2003) or M. Night Shyamalan in Unbreakable (2000) knows how to tame the beasts. In Druid Peaks, his latest film, still brand new in theaters, Spencer Treat Clark will have to face with wolves in Yellowstone. His character Owen, a troubled teen, silently watches the animals. He does not need the words to speak with them; He examines and listens them and, best of all, it is that wolves understand and respond to him... without words.Last November, I was in the Teatre Principal of Palma de Mallorca to the European premiere of Druid Peaks by the New York director, Marni Zelnick, thanks to EVOLUTION FILM FESTIVAL. The Evolution and Sandra Seeling, its director, deserve a separate article. The film debut Zelnick, surprising maturity of their approaches, is about Owen, a rebellious misfit teenager, who abruptly leaves his village to go live with his father (Andrew Wilson) biologist and head of packs of wolves within the Natural Park of Yellowstone. There his contact with wolves and, above all, the discovery of his father works a transformation in his perception of world around him and his person.Make no mistake: Druid Peaks is not the typical environmental film, with good wolves and dumb kids; The movie does not make explicit and Manichean discourse, where stuffed wolves saves the blonde girl with blue eyes. Not so. You have to read Jack London to understand it. Druid Peaks, is about deeper issues such as maturity, family, fear and forgiveness. We must thank Zelcnik that the film does not give recipes or prefabricated solutions, leaving the spectator to appreciate the work or not. It is precisely for this reason that the transformation of teenage protagonist is credible, real. I do not remember another current movie where such a positive and credible evolution of a troubled teen operated. I come to mind Captains Courageous (1937) by Victor Fleming with Spencer Tracy to find a similar atmosphere.Certainly, maybe some will accuse Zelcnick her story could be told in much less time than the nearly two-hour; they can also say that Druid Peaks is more like a documentary about the natural park of Yellowstone (celebrated in Spain by the Yogi Bear), and pack of wolves. However, it is difficult to understand the plot, the evolution of the protagonist, if not enjoy the landscapes, flowers and, above all, if we do not take enough time to see how the wolves act. At a time of the screening, the public of Evolution trembled and a sigh toured the stalls and the boxes in the Teatre Principal when one of the wolves appeared suffering. It is possible that ahead an audience flooded with images, who has lost sensitivity to human suffering, Zelnick get right with her vision and she teaches us to discover the sacrifice and redemption of man by animals and wildlife.As I said earlier, Spencer Clark performs a risky soliloquy looking wolves alone, for much of the film. This continuous loneliness that might have burdened the film, contrary, strengthens it. Spencer is alone in many scenes with only the company of wolves. Surely, it was not easy for someone who is used to roll with actors like Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon or the aforementioned Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. As he himself explained, "Wildlife is the best actor that exists." His look and his figure are sufficient to fill the screen ... and if you ask some collaborators girls who attended him in Evolution.I do not know what the future holds for an independent film as Druid Peaks, in a film industry that collects frivolous and blockbuster titles. But I think who ever have to deal with adolescence, as parents, educators, or as teenagers find in the work of Marni Zelcnik a light, a guide to the value of Wildlife to the transformation of man. Mandatory for teachers.Druid Peak, Evolution, Mallorca International Film Festival

I cried during this more than I've cried during a movie in a long time. And I cry a lot during movies. Honestly, even watching the trailer again just now I cried. This film is about a kid who's having a rough time and goes to live with his estranged father who monitors wolf packs in Wyoming, and then finds himself while learning about and tracking these wolves. Not only is this film totally beautiful to watch because of the landscape and wildlife, but it's also an intensely heartfelt and touching story. I think there's just something about seeing someone who is hurting so much and having such a hard time with life find something that fills their heart and brings them a sense of purpose. Spencer, the lead actor, was AMAZING and gave an absolutely masterful performance in this film. Watch out for him. I can't believe he's not being cast in every movie right now. If this doesn't get a theatrical release, I'm going to lose all faith in the film industry.

Had the opportunity to see Druid Peak at the Florida Film Festival in April of 2014. It was the surprise hit of the festival, and won the Audience Award for Best Feature. Not often do you get a film with a conservation & environmental angle that skillfully and successfully implements an equally worthwhile human angle - Druid Peak did just that.A must see. Writer and Director Marni Zelnick is truly talented and the cast is anchored by Spencer Treat Clark. Andrew Wilson, the more attractive of the Wilson brothers delivers a fantastic performance. Can't wait for this film to gain distribution and reach the masses, it deserves it.