In 1960 Montana fourteen year old Joe Brinson (Ed Oxenbould) has to cope with the slow decay of his parents marriage whilst a forest fire burns out of control in the nearby hills.

Joe has had to get used to moving as his father looks for work, but when Jerry (Jake Gyllenhaal) loses his latest job as a golf pro for betting with his customers there is a far greater impact on his family life than he has had to adapt to before. Jerry decides to take a job away from home fighting the fires burning out of control leaving Jeanette (Carey Mulligan) to provide for the family and consider her relationship with Jerry.

Wildlife is based on a 1990 novel by Richard Ford and it holds two intriguing story threads that feel very much like literary conceits. Firstly Joe is warned by his school how the unseen fire can cause irreparable damage to their lungs and they need to be careful and take precautions. When he discusses this with his father Jerry says there is no need to worry about something you can not see. The metaphor of course relating to the unseen strains in his marriage with Jeanette. Secondly whilst the story is told from Joe’s viewpoint we see him lose the happy family that he used to have whilst at the same time he takes on a part time job as a photographers assistant. Literally capturing images of families at their happiest points whilst his loses theirs. Both points are really well made whilst encapsulated in a film that feels measured and considered at a stately pace. The families relationship and the individual behaviours feel real and as a result it draws you in and makes you hope for the best.

Technically the film is a real master stroke for a debut director. Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood) and his partner Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks) adapted the novel together and Dano directed. The film features a beautiful score from David Lang, crisp photography from Diego Garcia and allows the actors time in their scenes to deliver the emotional themes. Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal have no shortage of excellent performances in their careers but this film will rate amongst their best. Oxenbould seems like a really good find as well although just like Dano he lacks leading man looks and will need to seek out interesting character pieces.

It can be hard going and heart breaking, but it is a film with real soul featuring some great performances.