★★★★

The inimitable Tom Skerritt, 88 years young, shines in a long overdue leading performance with East of the Mountains, a moving new drama which receives its World Premiere at the 47th Seattle International Film Festival. Based on David Guterson’s acclaimed, best-selling novel, Skerritt gives a lived-in, authentic portrayal of Ben Givens, a retired heart surgeon, looking to write the next chapter of his life on his own terms.

Those terms give worry to daughter Renee (Mira Sorvino), who tries to talk her recently widowed father out of a trip he insists on taking. The proverbial “East of the Mountains” in this context is Spokane, Washington, and there is significance for Ben’s return. Along the way, he will have his car breakdown, hitchhike, cross paths with some locals and find himself befriended by a kind veterinarian (Annie Gonzalez). He also grapples with the significance of a family heirloom that is of extreme importance.

Movies like East of the Mountains are not uncommon, but director S.J. Chiro trusts Skerritt implicitly. He gives a tremendous performance in the film, balancing emotions across a sturdy brow that is ever so close to buckling. You feel the immense weight on his shoulders, and as Ben grapples with his wife’s passing, you almost sense that he has arrived to his destination and is not entirely squared the reasons with why he’s truly there.

Melancholic movies, especially in a time of a pandemic, may ring hollow to some viewers who just want to escape into anything else - rather than settle in for a somber look at a life long-lived. In that regard, mileage may vary. For others, East of the Mountains is a story that finds people where they are and spends time to show us how they arrived to the point in their life where we find them. The acting is top notch, Thane Swigart’s screenplay adaptation may alter the book’s story in places but bring much of Guterson’s work toi life.

Chiro’s film reaps great rewards from giving Skerritt a moment to shine. East of the Mountains is a great little film and one worthy of finding a significant audience.

East of the Mountains was screened virtually as part of the 47th Seattle International Film Festival.

Tom Skerritt is the recipient of the SIFF Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award this year and the film received its World Premiere at this year’s festival.