LITTLE ACCIDENTS
US, 2014, 105 minutes, Colour.
Elizabeth Banks, Boyd Holbrook, Jacob Lofland, Josh Lucas, Chloe Sevigny.
Directed by Sarah Colangelo.
Little Accidents is a story from West Virginia, of a mining town. At the opening, there is a disaster at the mine, 10 men killed with only one survivor. This is a big accident, but there are a number of Little accidents involving the central characters throughout the film.
Boyd Holbrook portrays the survivor, Amos, who lives with his father, also a miner. Amos has suffered injuries because of the accident, is pressed by fellow miners to give testimony at an enquiry, is a devout man who attends Bible studies.
Elizabeth Banks and Josh Lucas are the parents of a young boy, something of a bully, who taunts Owen Briggs (Jacob Lofland) whose father was killed in the accident. When Owen throws a stone at the boy, he falls and hits his head on a rock and dies, Owen concealing the body and not telling anyone, though his Downs Syndrome brother was present at the time.
The film develops the character of Owen, young and inexperienced, afraid, mourning the death of his father, supportive of his brother and of his grieving mother. He also becomes involved with the parents of the dead boy, helping them with work around the house. The mother who is somewhat alienated from her husband, one of the bosses who is asked to cover the potential for an accident and is being made the scapegoat of the company, begins an affair with Amos after she goes to a Bible study class.
The film intertwines the story of the three central characters who are convincingly played, coming to a solution, especially when Owen confesses the truth to the grieving mother.
A small film, but worthwhile in its presentation of its characters and their moral challenges.
1. West Virginia, the town, the mines, hard lives?
2. The visuals of the town, of the mine, the tunnels, the homes, the woods? The musical score?
3. The title, the big accident of the mine, the Little accidents of the manslaughter of the young boy, infidelity and relationships?
4. The opening, the mine, the men, the collage of scenes, the explosion, the deaths, the rescue of Amos, the consequences? His survival, injuries and healing, the importance of his testimony, the company, the warnings, the dust, negligence, criminal negligence, silence and witness, the inquiry?
5. Amos’ story, in himself, his age, living with his father, their interactions and discussions, alone, limping, having to cope, going to the bar, the union man urging him, his memories and lapses of memory, time passing, involved in the search for the missing boy, the invitation to Doyle to join the Bible class? Diana’s presence, his sympathy for her, meeting on the street at night, the affair, the motel visits, the effect on him, with Owen, with Diana, with Doyle? The impact of his father’s death? His decision to give witness, the consequences?
6. Owen’s story, the death of his father, caring for his Downs Syndrome brother, his relationship with his mother, the care of his aunt, his age, responsibility? Wanting acceptance with the other boys, taking the beer, the interactions with them, their bullying, all going off, JT and his taunting Owen, Owen throwing the stone, JT and his collapse, death? Owen with his brother, urging him to silence? Dragging the body and hiding it? His lies, to the authorities? The reaction of the other boys? His mother? His continued care of his brother? Meeting Diana, the bond? Talking, working at the home, the gift of the bike? With Amos? The effect on his brother, his mother’s reaction, his final decision, going to tell the truth to Diana – and the audience not hearing, but watching? Her reactions? Owen, integrity, forgiveness or not?
7. Diana’s story, her background as a cheerleader, marriage to Doyle, the comfortable life, love for her son? Her husband and his job, the inquiry, the tensions at home, the ordinary details of the day, the news about JT, not wanting him to be dead, the search in the woods? Diana and the encounter with Amos, going to the Bible study, the effect on her, on her breath, nerves, her self-revelation? Meeting Amos by chance in the night, going to the motel, the beginnings of the affair, the sexual relationship? Finding opportunities to be with Amos? The effect, in herself, her grief, alienation from her husband and his responsibility at the mine? Continuing the affair, the final clash with Amos, the break? Her grief, with Owen, his companionship, working round the house? His telling the truth?
8. Owen’s mother, widow, grief, coping, work? Her sister and looking after the boys?
9. The intercutting of the stories, the different anxieties, of the three central characters, Doyle, his meeting with the bosses, their scapegoating him, the consequences, his responsibility?
10. The hearing, the testimony, the consequences?
