In this modest second feature, a disillusioned business-school graduate, taking a breather in high-altitude Wyoming, meets a rugged fly-fishing instructor.
Unimpeachable when it comes to scenery, “Peak Season,” the second feature from Steven Kanter and Henry Loevner, takes place in Jackson Hole, Wyo., where one of the protagonists, Loren (Derrick DeBlasis), lives out of his car and works an assortment of jobs: dishwasher, landscaper, fly-fishing instructor.
He is scheduled to give a lesson to Amy (Claudia Restrepo) and her fiancé, Max (Ben Coleman), well-heeled New Yorkers who are staying at Max’s uncle’s luxe, barely used pad. But work prevents Max from going along, and apparently from paying even a modicum of attention to Amy; eventually it takes him away from Wyoming all together. And as Amy, who has soured on her career as a management consultant, spends time with Loren over the rest of her trip, she begins to warm to the freedom of his lifestyle and the blissed-out vibes of the area.
She remains cleareyed, though. (When one of Loren’s friends considers moving to Grand Rapids, Mich., and Loren argues against it, she takes the friend’s side.) And “Peak Season” isn’t quite the simple-minded story of a city slicker who finds peace in the countryside that it initially appears to be.
It also isn’t really a romance, although the chemistry between Restrepo and DeBlasis makes that prospect irresistible for a while. Kanter and Loevner also feint in that direction by stacking the deck against the unfailingly obnoxious Max, who can’t extract his head from his laptop and who opts for CrossFit over Grand Teton. But a lovely ending makes up for the filmmakers’ giving this triangle one blunt side.
Peak Season
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 22 minutes. In theaters.
Source: Movies - nytimes.com
