The lives of Chris and Tim(Jamie Bell and Devon Alan)are overwhelmed at the arrival of their widower father's brother. They soon find out why he is there..it's to collect half these coins his father once stole as father John(Dermot Mulroney)has them hidden somewhere. Murder will result as the boys(carrying the gold in a knapsack)run for their lives through murky, poverty-stricken Georgia with their pursuer, Deel(Josh Lucas)always nipping at their heels.
Another aspect fueling Deel's rage was John's taking away his love. That is seen as betrayal, but with John also lying to Deel about the coins being gone doesn't help.
The film is basically a chase, but feel very reminiscent of "Night of the Hunter" because the framework is essentially the same. We watch a psycho really determined to get what he believes is his right to own..those coins are meant to be lining his pockets. He isn't afraid at killing the boys, proof after Deel murders their father and attempts killing them with a shovel. We know that if Deel catches them, it's certain doom. Also, the journey itself, despite the garbage-poor look of the boys travels, is almost idyllic as it adds a realism and unusual feel. We feel like these places they travel, and people they meet, are honest-to-goodness real and intricately drawn out. The film is conventional, but at the same time David Gordon Green is able to meander by having his boys meet certain individuals on their journey who mold them and shape them along the way. Also, Lucas isn't afraid to make his Deel extreme and on-the-edge scary that he's willing to do whatever it takes to get what is coming to him..what he waited in prison for.
Another aspect fueling Deel's rage was John's taking away his love. That is seen as betrayal, but with John also lying to Deel about the coins being gone doesn't help.
The film is basically a chase, but feel very reminiscent of "Night of the Hunter" because the framework is essentially the same. We watch a psycho really determined to get what he believes is his right to own..those coins are meant to be lining his pockets. He isn't afraid at killing the boys, proof after Deel murders their father and attempts killing them with a shovel. We know that if Deel catches them, it's certain doom. Also, the journey itself, despite the garbage-poor look of the boys travels, is almost idyllic as it adds a realism and unusual feel. We feel like these places they travel, and people they meet, are honest-to-goodness real and intricately drawn out. The film is conventional, but at the same time David Gordon Green is able to meander by having his boys meet certain individuals on their journey who mold them and shape them along the way. Also, Lucas isn't afraid to make his Deel extreme and on-the-edge scary that he's willing to do whatever it takes to get what is coming to him..what he waited in prison for.