As the story unfolds, the music placement is spot on and nestles naturally into the story. The cinematography, whether of beautiful landscapes or of close ups of faces and hands is captivating also. The subtleties in the film are smart. The film revolves around the idea that a common history is also not common, as its impact upon individual personalities can birth worlds unto themselves. The two female protagonists demonstrate this very well, and carry a story through their interconnection (and diversions off of that) to a brilliant end point. The same tendencies that have allowed these characters to survive are the ones they are in danger of being swept away in (Maddy, a more introverted & mysterious character who varies in her presence/accessibility, and Kate, a more fiery character, who dangerously plays the edge). It is Maddy who has been drawn in from far away to collide with Kate who has stayed in the heart of it. Both are reunited and eventually pressed up against the past. The film is accentuated with side characters... it is evident that care was taken in casting them, whether this is an older man who cares for a horse... or a table of ladies playing the Mahjong game... Some bickering about a rule in the Mahjong game for example, as Maddy contemplates in the background, adds depth to the scene/setting. The authenticity of side characters invests the viewer more in the story. Interesting to see what the filmmaker(s) will do next.
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Filmed in Jackson, the locations and actors are too clean-cut for 'the real' Wyoming. The main character is too immature for 15 years ago moving to the big city.
The screenplay is two dimensional and childish. The men are undeveloped as characters, basically props for whatever the gals are disjointedly feeling. The story of a supposed childhood trauma goes undeveloped, until the anti climatic unresolved, non sequitur ending.
Mahjong is a prop also, along with the Chinese buyers of the ranch. Maybe the producers trying to sell the film into that market.
The ubiquitous booze in the American West is realistic however.
Chloe Zhao, co-incidentally Chinese American, this is not. 'The Rider' would be a better American "West" choice, including the talented development of a meaningful backstory.