This guy Taylor Sheridan can write. As a UK script consultant it’s always exciting when you discover someone new to follow.
I really enjoyed Sicario and Hell or High Water and last night I just watched his directorial debut Wind River.
Wind River is a moody, murder mystery with atmosphere in buckets and a nice line in shocking, unexpected violence.
It’s a tough film, intriguing and beautiful with fine performances from Kelsey Asbille and Jeremy Renner. It also highlights the treatment of crime (including sexual assault) on Native American women.
The three films that Sheridan has written so far look at the melting pot of modern America, and focus on community’s that are struggling against crime, lack of money and a kind of disrespect for life.
This is the real (if heightened cinematically) America. A kind of lost place for many desperate people, but we still get the hint that the country is worth fighting for – and that some people still are.
Justice is also a recurring theme – that the people responsible (for whatever crime) need to be brought to account.
So Sheridan looks at Race, the death of America and bringing those guilty to account – watch the American news for fifteen minutes today – these three things will all feature (and it could be in one story about Donald Trump).
Wind River is a great film for our times, and deserves repeated viewings.
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He’s also a leading UK script consultant. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour