Dramatic, engrossing and intriguing, The World to Come grips you while delivering stellar performances and a story that punctuates hard times in the mid 1800’s. From opening scene to its intense finale, the picture book movie nails the costuming, location, sets and cinematic beauty of a challenging settlement in northern New York. If you are a romantic, like a good book played out on the screen or just entertained by a good screenplay, check this prize out now on Blu-ray and DVD.
The film opens in upstate New York in Schoharie County midway between closest cities of Albany and Utica. Snow has covered the ground and a farm house comes into view. The occupants are farmers with cows, chickens and a good size heard of sheep. It’s Tuesday, January 1st, 1856 and the Civil War has just about wound down. Being in the far north the effects of the major conflict does not seem to have been a major problem to these settlers who are just getting by.
Here we find Abigail (Katherine Waterston) and Dyer (Casey Affleck) tending the farm with their daily chores and can feel the chill of the long freezing winter. On this day visitors, Tallie (Vanessa Kirby) and Finny (Christopher Abbott), stop by and introduce themselves as their new neighbors who are renting until they can find property to purchase. Abigail is excited to see the young couple that are about their age because the relationship between her and Dyre have been strained since the loss of their daughter to diphtheria. In fact, there seems to be a spark of delight between her and Tallie at first sight.
Credit: Vlad Cioplea
When Abigail and Tallie’s relationship starts to go beyond friendship, they find ways of meeting each other for some private time. Director Mona Fastvold turns up the heat in this cold valley and changes the women’s lives forever. With the rugged ways of keeping a farm together Fastvold shows the difficulties of keeping a sexual relationship between mates. And when Tallie and Abigail’s attractions stimulate the loss of romanticism they had felt between their male partners, their sexual inhibitions become overwhelming.
The acting by the whole cast is very good, but Waterston and Kirby make the forbidden passion work. From sparks to fire, the two turn their dull lives into a feel good hunger that each has been lacking in their humdrum lives. Very realistic and tantalizing their acting makes the film work.
Bonus Features:
“Featurette” the making of The World to Come from the view of Tallie and Abigail’s relationship as told by the actors Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby.
The film has been rated R by the MPAA for some sexuality/nudity. It gets a rating of 4 out of 5 Stars. The World to come is now available for home viewing on Blu-ray and DVD.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Katherine Waterston, Vanessa Kirby, Casey Affleck
Directed by: Mona Fastvold
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R for some sexuality/nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Video Release Date: June 1, 2021
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, English Audio Description
Distributed by: Wolfe obscure pictures
Released on: Blu-ray and DVD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
