REVIEW: Modern western ‘East of Wall’ is ambitious, yet flawed

The Dakotas are a place of ruggedness and natural beauty. In this film, we get a first-hand glimpse into life there from the people who call it home.

The movie centers on a real family who own a horse ranch in South Dakota. The matriarch is Tabatha Zimiga, who plays herself in the picture. She lives on the ranch with several of her own children, and because there are many kids in need, has a few other teenagers staying there as well.

The film picks up with Tabatha stressed, as she’s recently become a widow and faces financial difficulties. Her business, which involves selling horses, is still going steady, but getting by on her own with mouths to feed is a struggle. Since the death of her late spouse, her relationship with her daughter Porshia is also strained.

As a docu-drama, “East of Wall” is a film told in a narrative format, but everything on screen is basically lifted from real life. Most of the characters on screen are people playing themselves, and the story is based on their lived experiences.

Director and writer Kate Beecroft reportedly spent three years living with the family as part of the production.  It’s an admirable effort to capture modern life on the plains in the most authentic fashion, short of a straightforward documentary.

In using this method, Beecroft manages to observe the lives of these characters in a genuine way. It’s a grounded approach, giving the audience an honest look into a slice of this family’s life. It avoids what could have been a melodramatic biopic, and also makes their story accessible by presenting it with emotion and humanity, rather than in a potentially rigid documentary.

Unfortunately, while the attempt at a pure perspective into this family and life in the Dakotas is respectable, the viewing experience still feels ultimately lacking. In a bit of a paradox, “East of Wall” feels at times too cluttered, and at other moments, comes across like there’s not enough going on.

There are so many characters, from those who work with Tabatha to the teens living at her home. It unfortunately becomes difficult to track who’s who, and what each person’s arc is supposed to be. At the same time, the main crux of the story, which centers on an offer from a Dallas entrepreneur to buy the ranch, feels underdeveloped.

As a result, there times “East of Wall” is a dramatic slow burn without enough fuel for the fire. Then, during others, it’s a messy familial ordeal where too many stories, from a guardianship case to a strained mother-daughter relationship, are whirling around without enough room for one to really stand out.

It of course would have been difficult to change anything since this is not only based on, but is itself a true story. However, the film may have benefitted from a more narrowed approach on a single plot thread, such as the relationship between Tabatha and Porshia, while still touching on other things going on in their lives.

“East of Wall” is a film featuring a strong level of artistry, with spectacular cinematography and an empathetic approach to showing the human condition in a real fashion during times of trial. At the same time, the acting can be a bit rough in a few moments, with those on screen not being professionals, and the movie drags narratively with Beecraft playing things too loose. As a result, it’s not a completely fulfilling watch. 2.75 out of 5.