By: Mariah Thomas
What would happen if a tree fell in the woods and someone did hear it? Similarly, what would happen if two couples in the middle of the woods during a storm discover a cheating scandal between the two? Both are scenarios that invite a feeling of bewilderment and not knowing what to do. A Tree Fell In The Woods is a favorite for me from this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Every second had me hooked and trying to figure out what would happen next. The lead couples go through a rollercoaster of emotions as two process the ultimate betrayal. Along with the compelling storyline, stars Ashley Park, Josh Gad, Daveed Diggs and Alexandra Daddario give incredible, career highlighting performances.
A Tree Fell In The Woods takes viewers on a New Years Eve trip with best friends Mitch (Josh Gad) and Debs (Alexndra Daddario) with their spouses. Both couples put on fronts of having the perfect marriage but that illusion is quickly shattered. While Debs and Mitch go looking for wood to provide warmth in their snowy, isolated cabin for the weekend, they seem something life altering. Deb’s husband Josh (Daveed Diggs) and Mitch’s wife Melanie (Ashley Park) are seen having sex by the best friend duo. Feeling the ultimate betrayal, Debs charges back toward the house while Mitch pleads with her to forget she saw it for now so they have time to process. Once they eventually make it back, tension is thick as Melanie and Josh attempt to act normal around their spouses. Debs is a boiling pot of water moments away from spilling over. Later in the day the cheating scandal comes out. There are mixed emotions from all. An incoming storm keeps the couples locked inside with nowhere to go. Various conversations take place with more secrets coming to light as the sun begins to set. More change occurs once nightfall hits and by morning minds are made up on next steps. What a way to ring in the new year.
There is an incredible segment in the movie as both couples finally discuss with their partners. As they argue, beg for forgiveness, plead for the truth and express their pain, the camera cuts between the conversations and merges them together. When Josh asks for Debs to say something, we see Mitch’s response to Melanie assuming she asked him the same. Upon seeing Melanie respond, the scene then cuts to Deb’s response. It was a brilliant way of showing how both couples were having the same conversation. In this segment, Daddario gives a hauntingly beautiful performance as she bares her pain out. You not only see but feel her frustrations as she yells at her husband begging for him to be honest. Josh Gad also has incredible moments of anger as his character processes this new grief. Ashley Park and Daveed Diggs are phenomenal, too. It is an hour and a half of you being sucked into this cabin trip with them.
Director and writer Nora Kirkpatrick beautifully executed the vision she had. This is a film that keeps you hooked from the first few minutes until the credits roll. Every scene is filled with so much intention to move this story along. There are so many fun visual choices that add a layer of fun to the film as well. I look forward to checking out her future work, as I enjoyed this film so much.
A Tree Fell In The Woods is a fantastic watch when and if someone has the time for it. It takes place over the course of a single day as four people process and struggle with the pain of infidelity and the reasons for it. From the writing to directing choices to actors this is a phenomenal film.