East of Wall (dir. Kate Beecroft)
By: Tarek Fayoumi
East of Wall is a debut film from up and coming director Kate Beecroft. Her film is one that has a heavy heart, while jumping through many hurdles. It presents the real frustrations connected to being a widow, running a ranch, and also dealing with legalities and debts. The character is Tabatha Zimiga (her name in real-life and in the movie), and she is trying to be a responsible parent to her adopted daughter Porshia Zimiga (also using her real name) and she is taking on the responsibility of other children that do not belong to her. Despite a complicated dynamic, doors are open in an enclosed environment. There is a chance for her to make a better income, if she is willing to change her lifestyle. East of Wall carries a heavy tolerance, because Tabatha keeps on working to be a caregiver for those she cares about. It is breathtaking in the amount of sacrifice displayed through the performance of Tabatha Zimiga. Zimiga plays a mom that is devoted to having a heart and keeping what her gut tells her to. That is to keep her land, but also she must consider a way to pay off the debts she builds for herself. She does not have it in her to exclude those causing an impact in her life. On a vast land in South Dakota, the landscape of hardship and making ends meet makes East of Wall feel precious in its form of motherhood and parenthood.
After the loss of her husband, Tabatha, a horse trainer, is forced to face the family’s many debts in addition to her grief. Since she is the owner of a ranch, Tabatha extends her heart to take care of those that are close to her, even though it is difficult at times because Porshia is rebellious and precocious. With the many horses thriving on her land, a business man named Roy Waters offers to buy the land from Tabatha. Waters is played by Scoot McNairy (Speak No Evil, Blood for Dust) in a bold and egotistical performance. All around the crazy chaos and mayhem, there is a chance for Tabatha to make a steady income, but deep-down Tabatha’s thoughts are the driving force of the film.
The film delivers that realistic sense of choices that are hard to make. Especially around frequent moments of teenagers doing illegal things, and Tabatha fighting legal battles for kids that are not her own. This feels like a lot, especially when compounded with the grief Tabatha feels after the death of her husband. East of Wall creates a beautiful sense of what a portrait of hardship is and what it mentally takes to keep fighting. The writing and continuity flows with Tabatha fighting to keep her heart strong, which requires a certain amount of discipline. That is even a struggle, but owning a ranch with many acres and debt on top of it is one that adds to the burdensome yet poetic story of East of Wall.
Target Score 7/10- While East of Wall has its flaws, its authenticity is stunning. There are times where protagonist Tabatha’s characterization may not make sense, making the impact of debut director Kate Beecroft all the more significant. The thematic drum beat of perseverance permeates Beecroft’s debut film, one that is worthy of note.