Off The Map (DVD)

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Amy Brenneman plays the adult Bo in this story that goes beyond the traditional coming-of-age drama as seen through the eyes of a child who continues to grow wiser by the day. The land is a catalyst for characters of all chronological ages to "come of age," maturing the way that fruits ripen. As an ensemble, this group works well together, perhaps because, as they reveal in some of the extras, the land actually had an effect on them too. I don't imagine that everyone who sees "Off the Map" will want to drop out of civilization and move to northern New Mexico, but I'm guessing that this film will challenge pre-conceived notions of "paradise" and family.

Video: On the commentary, the director exclaims, "This transfer looks just beautiful," and who am I to argue? Mastered in High Definition at 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the picture does justice to the majestic reddish-brown cliffs and the sea-green scrubs.

Audio: The soundtrack is equally nice, with English Dolby Digital 5.1 and English subtitles. You can hear the subtle sounds of nature in the background, and the silence itself seems to have volume. There isn't much in the way of sound effects or dialogue, even, with Charley not speaking until well into the film. Largely, it's the girl's voice that we hear, as it's through her eyes that we see much of the action.

Extras: There are two short shows which aired on the Sundance Channel: "Anatomy of a Scene" and "Out There Now." Both incorporate a lot of split-screen images to compare various things—including a scene from the stage play and a similar scene from the film. We learn that the cabin they built north of Taos was based on images from two books, "Of Earth and Timbers Made," and "Alternative Shelters," and there are shots of the filming interspersed with talking head remarks and clips from the final product. As shows like these go, they're of average quality.

The commentary with Scott and Ackerman is interesting because the two talk about the film in ways that address the honest reactions of the writer and director. There's the usual smattering of film talk, casting talk, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes in a commentary that's better than average.

Bottom Line: "Off the Map" meanders a bit, and it's going to appeal mostly to people who appreciate quiet, character-driven dramas. But a quietly powerful script, solid performances, and beautiful location filming make this as much of a pleasant surprise for us as the film's self-sufficient family was for the IRS man.

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