Life in the last frontier is a different environment than most of us encounter in our lifetime. Here during certain times of the year, you may never see the sun and in the other season the light may never go away. The scenery in most of the state of Alaska is amazing and wonderful to experience firsthand. It is very cold in the winter and moderately warm in the summer. It is one of the few places you can visit and be in a hot spring when it is 30 below. This glorious location is a nice vacation spot, but when you live here relationships can be different to undergo.
The excursion begins when older boyfriend Jack (Jake Johnson) is convinced that his girlfriend Wendy (Dakota Fanning) needs to endure at least six months away from their relationship, to see what she really wants from life. Not wanting any more children, divorced father of two (Abby (Charlie Golike) and Jude (Kincaid Zatalokin)), Jack knows that his situation with Wendy may become toxic in future if she shortchanges herself by not experiencing her life and staying in their relationship. From here things become hard for Wendy and Jack, allowing things to spin out of control for the both of them.
While trying to figure things out Wendy runs into Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), a former boyfriend and local pilot, which ends up making things more confusing for her. Meanwhile Wendy’s best friend Lindsay (Debby Ryan) and her husband, Keith (Joe Swanberg), are beginning to have a family when Lindsay announces that she is pregnant. During this time Jack visits his sister, Elizabeth (Anna Konkle), and sees what it’s like to have a baby again. He now sees himself possibly considering having another kid and begins to regret his decision to allow Wendy to find what she truly wants. Now, he tries to find a way to get her back or to see if he can move on.
Putting together a captivating adventure through relationships, director and writer Joe Swanberg enters into the universe of possible love triangles that jeopardizes the futures of these characters’ long term goals. Most of the journey leads up to a conclusion that is expected, but you actually see that it becomes unclear and foggy. Swanberg does spend some time including the Arctic scenery in some portions of the film that are actually breathtaking. With Joe shooting the entire motion picture in 35 millimeters, it allows many scenes to stand out throughout this picture. Dakota, Cory, and Jake put together a realistic performance that allows for many emotional changes as they all begin to find out how hard this path they are on becomes.
In the mists of the coastal area of Anchorage lies an unexpected story that challenges a couple to figure out if they truly belong with each other. The risks they take can forever renew their lives they once had, but for them it is necessary to find out if they are meant to be together. This interesting quest through the soul of our heroes brings you through their emotional growth as they all figure out what is next in life.
Final Comment: I based my grade on an appealing storyline with outstanding Alaskan terrain.
Stars 3.25 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Jake Johnson, Cory Michael Smith, Debby Ryan, Anna Konkle, Lamorne Morris, and Karley Sciortino.
Directed and written by: Joe Swanberg
Genre: Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language including some sexual references.
Running Time: 1 hour and 42 minutes
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Distributed By: Independent Film Company
Release In: Standard
