Crossroads is a painful experience with the southwestern parts of America and the inherent nature of the people. The dramatics are never created on purpose. As Douglas A. Raine describes the film, it is about two people, Logan (Nick Ballard) and Star (Emily Coupe), who are complete strangers but are at the same place in their lives, and that is one of the crossroads. A decorated war veteran turned log cabin cowboy is Logan, who fights demons of his past that never allow him to move on. A distressed and a self-reliant young adult, Star is a musician on the streets who constantly searches for her identity and plays guitar to cope with her problems.
Though their first meeting was filled with uncertainty and no sexual attraction, that quickly changed into a loving relationship that grew stronger as they both traveled through the deserts. During their trip, they healed each other’s wounds, loved and cared for one another with so much intimacy that the road and the ocean could bear witness. The cycle of having strong emotions to weak and mundane thoughts is the true beauty of such trips.
The film deserves an award for storytelling advanced to the peak with Ballard’s more or less mute acting as Logan and Coupe’s Star, who by contrast is both vulnerable and defiant. Also in the supporting cast is Bruce Greenwood, an old man playing a bursar who becomes a father figure and Juliette Lewis, who is the mother to Star who has left and has very brief engagement with the screenplay but is important.
The expansive view of the desert is beautifully photographed by Lily Cheong giving a view of the isolation and strength of the characters against the background of the formless space and miles of roads. The story gets more personal and emotional touch thanks to the beautifully composed music which includes some of memorables songs composed and sung by Coupe.
The Crossroads is not boring as it is believed to be a road movie; it is an emotional ride which is often wider and deeper looking for a connection with other people claiming to be a way towards a closure helping to deal with the weight of the understanding. With the overwhelming development of the characters and the potency of the narrative the movie has a deep impact.
