Meadowland

Reed Morano's drama effectively plumbs the emotional depths of a couple who are barely surviving an unimaginable tragedy. The story opens a year after Sarah (Olivia Wilde), a New York City teacher, and husband Phil (Luke Wilson) experienced the abduction of their son during a vacation. Unable to cope with their loss—Phil insists the child is dead, Sarah refuses to accept that conclusion—they have drifted into dangerous behavior. Sarah slips away from their home to venture through Times Square during the twilight hour, and her attachment to a young student with Asperger's goes beyond academic support. Phil begins to behave inappropriately during work, creating situations that lead to new problems. Morano—an acclaimed cinematographer making his directing debut—creates a visually striking environment in which two people are adrift in an urban miasma that offers no comfort for their profound sorrows. The film benefits from full-throttle performances by Wilde and Wilson, who create heartbreaking portraits of decent people cruelly transformed by tragedy. Highly recommended. (P. Hall)