PRAY FOR RAIN
US, 2017, 92 minutes, Colour.
Jane Seymour, Annabelle Stevenson, Nicholas Gonzalez, James Morrison, Paul Rodriguez, Ali Afshar, John Ducey, John Heard.
Directed by Alex Ranarivelo.
Actually there is not much praying for rain but a focus on the harsh repercussions of drought and the rationing of water. The setting is California, perhaps a bit reminiscent of The Grapes of Wrath, water being rationed in a particular zone where farmers have grown abundant food, some accused of stealing water, but rationing decreed because of danger to a particular species of fish. There is a range of environmental enthusiasts, a philanthropist wanting to do the right thing, but a business exploiter who is buying up properties and has a control to turn on the water once he has succeeded. He is also employing rough local gangs.
At the centre of the film is a journalist, seen chatting on a red carpet for an event, getting news of death of her father, coming home, criticised by her mother, wondering about the death of her father. She also meets the local sheriff whom she has known since they were children.
She goes through investigative journalism expose of what is going on. She hears the true story of her mother and father and is reconciled with her mother. Eventually, the FBI intervene and the water issue is channelled into more positive approaches for all concerned.
John Heard’s last film.
1. The blend of crime story and environmental issues?
2. The California setting, the desert, the drought, the vast feels for crops, the town, offices, protests? The musical score?
3. The title, issues of drought in California, conservation of water, rationing of water, stealing water, manipulating property prices, sales, exploitation?
4. The focus on, in New York, the gala premiere and interviews, the pressure from her editor? The phone call, the death of her father, going home? Her strong character? Alienation from her mother, devotion to her father, getting out of California, prospects of a career?
5. Olivia, antagonism towards her daughter, criticisms? The past, her relationship with her husband, the farm, finance, the affair with Patrick? The funeral, the slashing of the tyre and to getting the gun? As a character, the final revelation of the truth about her affair, talking it over with Patrick? The issue of property, selling? Reconciliation with her daughter?
6. The situation, the water diviner, finding the tractor and the body? The verdict of accidental death? Emma, suspicious, interrogating people, the medical records? Visiting the site? The cigar? Suspicions of Patrick? Her collaboration with Nico, knowing him from the past?
7. The environmental protesters, the issue of the species of the fish, the evidence of its not being depleted, the rationing of water, the effect on the farmers and their likelihood, the non-production of food? The speeches, the foundation and Mrs Windemere, wanting to do a good thing? The offices, the visits by Emma, her challenge to them?
8. Patrick Waring, stealing water, selling property, the relationship with Olivia, the information that he was to be the contact for Marcus’s illness and death? Emma confronting him, his playing of the final video, destroying it? Their secret? And the reconciliation with Olivia?
9. The gangs, the thugs, the violent tactics, the confrontation with Olivia at the death site? The further violence, the pursuit, it Emma and the shovel, his arrest?
10. Adam, his fiancee, attitude towards the environment, protests? Mrs Windemere and her wanting to a good thing? The evidence of his adviser exploiting the farmers, getting them to sell, the shell companies? The young farmer and his presence at the protests and explanations? Emma and her evidence, the USB stick, her being abducted and escaping? Calling the FBI, the arrests?
11. The restoring of the water, the farmers and their response, Mrs Windemere?
12. Emma, her background with Nico, the visits, his family, the boy, his father? Sharing the action in the investigations? And a happy ending? And her success with her cover story about the drought?
