Prince Avalanche (2013)

This is a small movie--almost like a play that has been transferred to the great outdoors.  There are only four characters, three of which were part of the original script and one that got added in later because they found her there when they were filming.  The natural setting of the movie is a significant part of it's beauty and it would not work neary as well indoors in a theater because part of the story is about living outdoors.

Alvin (Paul Rudd) gets his girlfriend's brother Lance (Emile Hirch) hired on to help him finish marking a road that was part of a larger sweeping fire that went through Texas, destroying a surprising nubmer of homes before it was put out. The opening scenes show a ferosious and fearsome fireball that seems impossible to tame or control.  Alvin and Lance are tasked with patinting the center line down the road and resetting the reflectors on the side of the road--it is repetative and boring work that is saved only by the beautiful setting that it takes place in.

We are introduced to Lance through Alvin's eyes--he sees him as a boy struggling to grow up, with few skills and less ambition.  Lance does have those limitations, but there is more to him than that, and we see that as the movie unfolds.  Alvin is a man who is more comfortable in the woods than he is with people.  He can skin a squirrel, gut a fish, and feed himself in the great outdoors, but when it comes to dealing with people and relationships he is far less adept.  The movie is quirky and wise at the same time, and well worth watching.