Written and directed by Jesse Edwards, The Stolen Valley is both buddy movie and a celebration of female empowerment.
As car mechanic Lupe (Briza Covarrubias) finds herself teamed up with outlaw cowgirl Maddy (Allee Sutton Hethcoat)/ they both find money and family on their minds.
Lupe’s Mexican-Navajo heritage is important to reach the ending we are rooting for, and which has the potential for a franchise or even a TV series.
Both women are sidelined and cheated by men, both show tremendous resilience and strength, alone or as a team. You may find Lupe a bit naive and Maddy a bit rough round the edges, but you will he in their corner.
Edwards makes the main villains a bit cartoonish, but Micah Fitzgerald makes a truly repellent piece of work as Carl, who steals, cheats and lies his way through life. There’s nothing redeeming about him.
As Lupe’s mum (Paula Miranda) lies in her hospital bed, the road trip becomes more urgent, while Maddy runs from the crooks who have a price on her head.
There’s a coincidence or three too far in The Stolen Valley, but I found it a really enjoyable watch. It clearly owes a debt to Thelma and Louise, but with a modern and cultural spin.
The cinematography is sharp and clear, with some shots which show off elegance and a sense of space. The score can stand on its own and really adds to the atmosphere.
I also enjoyed the humour of some situations while believing in what brings these two women together. This new action-Western is not my usual genre of choice, but I would watch both this and these characters again.
The Stolen Valley will be available to own or rent in the UK & Ireland from April 15 via Amazon, AppleTV, Sky Store, RakutenTV, EE Film Store, Virgin Media Store and Google.
For more information, see the Lightbulb Film Distribution website.
***.5