Let Him Go Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Grandparents really, REALLY don’t like their grandson’s new in-laws, so they road trip to kidnap him back, leading to a chaotic family reunion no one wanted.

🍿 Let Him Go: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Family Tragedy

In 1960s Montana, retired sheriff George Blackledge and his wife Margaret live a quiet life on their ranch. Their peace is shattered when their son James dies in a horse-riding accident, leaving behind his wife Lorna and young son, Jimmy. Margaret becomes particularly attached to Jimmy, forming a close bond.

A New Marriage and Disappearance

Years later, Lorna remarries a man named Donnie Weboy. Margaret witnesses Donnie’s abusive behavior towards both Lorna and Jimmy, fueling her concern. One day, Lorna, Donnie, and Jimmy disappear without a word, leaving Margaret distraught and convinced that Lorna and Jimmy are in danger. Fueled by a grandmother’s love, Margaret decides to find them and bring Jimmy back.

The Search Begins

Margaret, with a reluctant George in tow, embarks on a journey to find Lorna and Jimmy. Their search leads them to North Dakota, the supposed home of the Weboy family. Along the way, they encounter warnings about the Weboys, a notorious and dangerous clan known for their control and violence. The couple soon realize they’re facing a formidable and ruthless enemy.

Confrontation with the Weboys

The Blackledges eventually locate the Weboys and confront them. They quickly discover that Donnie is just the tip of the iceberg, with his mother, Blanche, being the true power and a terrifying matriarch. Tensions escalate, leading to a tense dinner scene that highlights the vast differences between the Blackledges’ moral code and the Weboys’ ruthless nature.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Margaret Blackledge (Diane Lane): A determined grandmother who embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue her grandson from an abusive family.
• George Blackledge (Kevin Costner): A retired sheriff and Margaret’s husband, who reluctantly joins her quest to save their grandson.
• Blanche Weboy (Lesley Manville): The ruthless and domineering matriarch of the Weboy family, who fiercely protects her own.
• Lorna Blackledge (Kayli Carter): The widowed daughter-in-law, caught in an abusive marriage and desperate to protect her son.
• Donnie Weboy (Will Brittain): Lorna’s abusive husband and a member of the Weboy family, whose actions trigger the conflict.
• Peter Dragswolf (Booboo Stewart): A Native American man who offers assistance and guidance to Margaret and George during their journey.
• Bill Weboy (Jeffrey Donovan): Donnie’s uncle and a menacing member of the Weboy family, who is loyal to Blanche.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Margaret Blackledge: “I know what I’ve lost.” – Margaret expresses her grief and the driving force behind her actions, emphasizing the deep personal loss she’s experienced.
• George Blackledge: “Sometimes that’s all life is, Margaret. The list of what we’ve lost.” – George reflects on the cumulative nature of loss and how it shapes their lives.
• Blanche Weboy: “Family takes care of family.” – Blanche states her twisted worldview and justification for her controlling and violent behavior towards her family members.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18 million
• Domestic Gross: $9,358,025
• Worldwide Gross: $10,835,686

💥 Let Him Go Reviews

Personal Review

I was totally drawn into ‘Let Him Go’. Diane Lane’s performance as a fiercely protective grandmother was incredible. The dinner scene with the Weboys was so tense, I was on the edge of my seat! While the ending was a bit over-the-top, I felt invested in the characters, which made the movie overall a great experience. I really felt Margaret’s desperation and I cheered when she stepped up to protect Jimmy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Westerns and neo-Westerns”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “Those interested in films exploring family loyalty and grief”
  • “Fans of Kevin Costner and Diane Lane”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Abuse”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A slow-burn thriller that gradually ratchets up the tension, ‘Let Him Go’ benefits from strong performances by Costner and Lane. The film falters slightly in its final act, but the journey is still a compelling one.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Kevin Costner and Diane Lane deliver nuanced and powerful performances in this gripping drama about family, loss, and the lengths we go to protect those we love. While the plot has a few predictable elements, the performances elevate the material.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “This is a perfectly adequate but not especially memorable crime drama, set against the stark beauty of the American West. The performances are solid, but the plot is a bit too predictable to truly resonate.

Audience Reactions

Diane Lane’s portrayal of Margaret was outstanding and truly captured the fierce love of a grandmother.: The performances, especially by Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, and Lesley Manville, were widely praised for their depth and emotional impact.

The slow-burn pacing effectively built suspense, making the violent climax all the more impactful.: Many viewers appreciated the movie’s slow-burn approach, which allowed for a deeper connection with the characters and their motivations.

Overall Consensus: ‘Let Him Go’ is a well-acted, suspenseful drama that explores themes of family, loss, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. While some find the pacing slow and the ending somewhat jarring, the strong performances and compelling story make it a worthwhile watch.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The novel is set in 1951, with the couple living in North Dakota and traveling to Montana. The movie adaptation shifts the timeline to 1963 and reverses the locations.”
• “Filming primarily took place in Alberta, Canada, standing in for the landscapes of Montana and North Dakota.”

🖥️ How to Watch Let Him Go?

Let Him Go is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Let Him Go, you might like these similar films:

• No Country for Old Men (2007): Share a similar tone of bleakness, violence, and the examination of morality in the face of relentless evil.
• Winter’s Bone (2010): Features a determined protagonist venturing into a dangerous, isolated community to protect their family, mirroring the intensity of Margaret’s quest.
• Straw Dogs (1971): Highlights the descent into violence when a couple is pushed to their limits by menacing locals, echoing the escalating conflict in ‘Let Him Go’.
• Wind River (2017): Set in a modern Western landscape, it involves characters dealing with violence and loss while investigating crimes in a remote, unforgiving environment.

🛒 Let Him Go Related Products

• Let Him Go [Blu-ray]: Own the movie on Blu-ray and experience the stunning visuals and intense performances in high definition. Includes bonus content like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Let Him Go (Novel) by Larry Watson: Delve deeper into the story with the original novel that inspired the movie. Explore the characters’ inner thoughts and motivations with richer detail.
• Vintage Western Style Clothing: Dress in the style of the film’s 1960s Western setting. Find vintage-inspired shirts, dresses, and accessories to create a classic look.
• Western Decor Prints: Bring the beauty of the Western landscape into your home. Find canvas prints and posters of mountain vistas, prairies, and other scenes inspired by the film’s setting.

🎧 Soundtrack

Let Him Go features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Oh Boy!” – performed by The Crickets
• “Let Him Go – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – performed by Michael Giacchino

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

IT Let GO!😱

Okay, you HAVE to see this! It’s an absolutely hilarious take on the title, cleverly mashed up with something totally unexpected. It’s short, sweet, and guaranteed to make you laugh.

Frozen – Let It Go (Idina Menzel) (Karaoke Version)

Ever wanted to belt out the song from the movie? Here’s your chance! This karaoke version is super popular for a reason – the song will get stuck in your head for hours (in a good way, hopefully!).

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ifCAfAzOBJM

Keyshia Cole – Let It Go (Official Music Video) ft. Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim

Did you know that there’s a super popular song also called “Let It Go”? You’ve got to check out this music video with Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, and Lil’ Kim – it’s a classic!

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