‘The Integrity of Joseph Chambers’ Review
Stars: Clayne Crawford, Jordana Brewster, Carl Kennedy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Michael Raymond-James, Charline St. Charles | Written and Directed by Robert Machoian
Director Robert Machoian follows up his well-received drama The Killing of Two Lovers with another low-budget but intriguing and original drama. In The Integrity of Joseph Chambers a man goes off hunting in the woods alone to seemingly prove something to his family, and himself, that he can ‘survive’ in the woods and be the ‘man’ of the house. It will come as no surprise that his irresponsibility leads him to a terrible situation.
First off, the movie looks fantastic. The cinematography is up there with the very best. I loved every shot of the woodland and the man (Joe, played by Clayne Crawford) walking around the woodland. I’m sure there’ll be some people who watch certain scenes and think that ‘nothing happens’. It’s just a guy walking through the woods, talking to himself and failing to kill anything. But there’s much more to these scenes than that – and these scenes take up about 75% of the movie so it’s a good job they do! I’m a sucker for well-shot woodland though and it’s perfect here, with the change of colour from dull greens and greys at dusk to the brightness of the same colours with the sun shining down working perfectly. They nicely, along with an excellent score, create this feeling of loneliness for our lead character – even when he does eventually meet another person. Seeing him wander alone through the wilderness, singing and talking to himself, tells us exactly what mindset he is in, and why his actions are believable.
Without going into spoiler territory, I thought Joe’s actions were the most believable I had seen in similar situations on film. You always put yourself in the character’s shoes in films like this, and as I did I was constantly imagining what I’d do and it felt like his actions were natural and fitted with his character.
Now, back to that musical score. It is fantastic. I loved it and wanted to listen to it again after I’d watched the film (I couldn’t find it on Youtube!). It’s atmospheric, complementing the quietness of the movie nicely and, at times, panic-inducing. There’s a real horror-like element to much of the score, really helping the moments of dread. The music has your heart pumping and your body on edge at just the right times.
Crawford (star of the Lethal Weapon TV series) is tremendous in that lead role. As the movie goes on, he somehow gets better. The more intense things are, his performance becomes even more engaging. During those final fifteen minutes or so, you feel the fear and anxiety that the character is going through. He is far from perfect as a father, partner or person but you absolutely feel sympathy for him and what he has been through.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan has a small but important role and he is great too. As is everyone else in the movie – there are only a handful of roles – everyone plays their part impressively.
There might not be some huge message here (maybe just don’t go in the woods alone) but the story is so well told and acted out that The Integrity of Joseph Chambers is a powerful, must-watch movie. It will have you gripped like no other. Director Robert Machoian is someone I will be keeping a close eye on from now on.
