Night Moves

Kelly Reichardt's deliberately-paced eco-thriller dramatizes the planning and execution of an act of domestic terrorism. Environmental activists Josh (Jesse Eisenberg) and Dena (Dakota Fanning) join with ex-Marine Harmon (Peter Sarsgaard) in a mission to use an explosive-laden boat to destroy an Oregon hydroelectric dam, thereby sending a message that human intervention in the natural order of things will no longer be tolerated. Much of the suspense here arises from the attention to the mechanics of the operation—from the purchase of the vessel, to Dena's attempt to buy 500 pounds of ammonium nitrate without the requisite post-9/11 proof of identification—all of which leads to a prolonged episode in which the plotters quietly row the boat to the dam and set the explosives to detonate, only to be met by a Hitchcockian twist as the timer clicks down. Night Moves, which requires viewer patience, is greatly dependent on mood, but those willing to accept the glacial pace will find that it offers a compelling glimpse into an unfamiliar world. Recommended. (F. Swietek)