How to Blow Up a Pipeline

Very bold and unique subject matter. It’s a film that requires a certain level of openness from the viewer to be challenged, because it’s almost designed to trigger the close-minded. I like how the story’s told, intercutting between the present and some _Reservoir Dogs_-style flashbacks to give us 13 reasons why to blow up a pipeline, as well as some character development. It’s very good at constantly building tension, it’s well written and clever (a few minor misses with the dialogue), but most importantly I love how the characters aren’t judged. Like the best of these type of movies dealing with complex moral questions, it’s interested in understanding the human psyche but ultimately leaves any form of judgement to the viewer. The acting’s fine, I don’t think there are any mindblowing performances here, which is a shame but the material doesn’t really ask for that either. Stylistically, it clearly owes a debt to the Safdies. The cinematography is occasionally a little bit on the bland side (too many shot/reverse shot set-ups; some shots seemed out of focus to me?), but the synth heavy score is fantastic and makes up for some of the visual shortcomings. 6.5/10

First half boring as hell, second half more eventful, but in general a script more suited for a short film.