by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Have you ever watched a trailer for a film and automatically realized that it was going to cause controversy? There are plenty of films that tackle uneasy topics or feature perspectives that might not be the societal norm. Extreme perspectives and actions are provocative and can create plenty of buzz around a film. But in 2023, there are not as many films that challenge audiences on a deeply moral level (especially not like previous decades like the 1970s). But every so often a film comes on and gets people talking. Just take a look at How to Blow Up a Pipeline.
Why will this new thriller cause such a stir? First off, the bigger ideas are certainly topical. Energy debates are at the forefront of the American political landscape, as people debate climate change and the reliance our society has on fossil fuels. This debate is at the core of the motivations of this group of young environmental activists who decide to take things to the next level. There is even an internal debate amongst this group whether or not they are terrorists. Having a film centered on a group who could (and many would argue should) be labeled such is quite a bold move. It puts the audience in a precarious position. This challenging nature of the film makes this a hard film to skip. Do you sympathize with them? Do you want to see them get what is coming? Those are both powerful feelings and perspectives that can be channeled while watching How to Blow Up a Pipeline.
Is the title as descriptive and specific as it seems? Daniel Goldhaber’s film is indeed centered on a group of young people who are motivated by a variety of reasons to take up this drastic measure. We see the planning and the execution, and also are treated to some well placed flashbacks that achieve substantial story growth. There are certainly jarring moments when a bomb might go off, and the audience is whisked away to the backstory of one of the characters. But Goldhaber makes the most of these bold editing choices to build tension and establish depth in the characters, from his and his fellow writers’ script. We begin to pull back layers and see what is really going on and why this mission is so dire. The film boasts some powerful motivations and shocking turns, which just compound the challenging experience to have watching this film.
What does Goldhaber bring to the film from behind the camera? There is an impressive amount of tension curated in each scene. You find yourself white-knuckling throughout the film. Whether it is testing the materials, putting the bomb together, the actual deed, or the unexpected moments that turn the plan upside down, there are always thrills to experience and to take in. The approach to visuals is also a specific and effective choice. The grainy and raw footage look makes this feel almost documentarian, which provides a voyeuristic aura. The audience is in it with the characters, and there is no turning back.
But is it all positive when it comes to How to Blow Up a Pipeline? Most of the performances are quite strong (especially the deeply moving and powerful performance from Sasha Lane), but there are a few that feel a bit lackluster. You can tell some of the cast are pretty green as actors. Stronger and more experienced actors would have been able to deliver more on the emotional end of things. Where the character depth and story structure would be the highlights of the screenplay, the dialogue can be considered a weakness. Some of the lines are so blunt and obnoxious that it comes close to taking you out of the film. You can see some of them in the trailer, and I hoped they would feel more organic in the film, but unfortunately those clunky moments land that way in the film as well.
Does How to Blow Up a Pipeline deliver an impactful and thought-provoking experience? This film will certainly leave you thinking and reeling in the end. Goldhaber accomplishes something impressive, and that is a film that feels detached enough to leave you open to think on your own about the themes, but brings you in enough to feel invested in these characters. There are certainly clunky moments, but for the most part, the film is a thrill ride with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
Score: 8/10
How to Blow Up a Pipeline will be in theaters on April 7
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