Off the Map is a movie I have been wanting to see for quite some time. Since seeing the first trailer, I envisioned a quirky little movie extoling the virtues of a life of simplicity. It was and it wasn’t.

I thought I would see Sam Elliot and Joan Allen as a self-assured couple content to live without the sparkle, shine, and new plastic wrappings of the commercial world – I did, but this film was much more. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it because, while it did pay homage to the simplicity lifestyle, the story was actually something entirely different.

Upon reflection however, it is actually a pretty darn good film. Valentina de Angelis was great in her first role as the young daughter filled with dreams of the world outside of her tiny existence. Jim True-Frost was a surprise as the IRS agent who came to audit the couple, and ended up falling for their lifestyle.

The film is quirky – has extremely memorable characters – is a great resume piece for Joan Allen – is a multi-layered, deep film – AND, is a silly romp… quite a lot for 105 minutes.

RATING 8 out of 10