Josh O'Connor's Hot Streak Comes to an End with Stilted Drama 'Rebuilding'
Between 'Challengers', 'La Chimera', 'The Mastermind', and 'Wake Up Dead Man', British actor Josh O'Connor has been on a generational run of acclaimed performances. It is a profound shame, therefore, that his new western drama, 'Rebuilding', never truly gets off the ground. Directed by Max Walker-Silverman, the film sees O'Connor's crumpled sweater charm feeling oddly misplaced for the first time in recent memory.
A Committed Performance in a Sparse Tale
O'Connor remains reliably committed to his role as Dusty, a cowboy whose family ranch in Colorado is destroyed by a wildfire, leaving him in a state of emotional stasis. The genius of O'Connor's previous work lies in his ability to play gentility with a twist—whether through arrogance in 'Challengers' or using his hangdog looks to conceal deeper complexities in films like 'Wake Up Dead Man'. In 'Rebuilding', however, viewers may spend the entire runtime searching for that signature edge, as Dusty is portrayed as an idealised hermit monk, vaguely bemused by modern technology and mourning the loss of his cattle-minding identity.
The narrative draws directly from Walker-Silverman's personal grief over losing his grandmother's house to a wildfire, and it depicts a community rising from the ashes. This is a sparse tale, with its only sense of grandeur found in the pink-blue sunsets on the horizon, evoking a style reminiscent of Terrence Malick via Chloé Zhao. Yet, the characters remain pointedly in situ, with Dusty's life reduced to shifts between a temporary trailer home and construction jobs, punctuated by visits to family members like his daughter Callie Rose (Lily LaTorre) and her mother Ruby (Meghann Fahy).
Emotional Revelations and Restrained Anger
Slowly, Dusty begins to bond with other wildfire survivors, including Mali (Kali Reis), a widow who lost her husband while trying to save their home. The film's whisper-quiet propulsion leads to a familiar emotional revelation common in stories about withdrawn men: near the climax, Dusty erupts in a fit of yelling and throwing belongings, only to retreat back into silence. In the subsequent scenes, the community grapples with the existential weight of 'rebuilding' in an era of climate change, where no future feels guaranteed except for the ultra-rich.
It is moving to witness a community daring to thrive amid apocalyptic circumstances. However, the film frustratingly acts as if this beauty would shatter if any character expressed anger towards those who dismiss their suffering as necessary or inevitable. Unlike Chloé Zhao's 'Nomadland', which allowed Frances McDormand to convey simmering intensity, 'Rebuilding' consciously restrains O'Connor from showcasing the fiery energy he is demonstrably capable of delivering.
A Lovely Rendering of Half a Story
Ultimately, 'Rebuilding' feels like a lovely rendering of only half a story. It is not the action its title promises but rather a prolonged moment of retreat to lick one's wounds. With a runtime of 96 minutes and a PG certificate, the film features a strong supporting cast, including recent Oscar winner Amy Madigan in a small but lovely role. Despite O'Connor's efforts, this western drama fails to capitalise on his hot streak, leaving audiences with a stilted and emotionally muted experience.
Dir: Max Walker-Silverman. Starring: Josh O'Connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, Amy Madigan. Cert PG, 96 minutes. 'Rebuilding' is in cinemas from 17 April.
