Let Him Go (2020)
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A retired sheriff and his wife embark on a perilous journey to rescue their grandson from a dangerous family living off-the-grid.
The story
In 1961 Montana, retired sheriff George Blackledge and his wife Margaret live a quiet life on a ranch. Their world is shaken when their son, James, dies in a tragic accident. Years later, in 1963, Margaret discovers that their infant grandson, Jimmy, is being kept by a dangerous family in North Dakota. When the boy's mother, Lorna, is subjected to violence by her partner, Margaret and George decide to travel across state lines to rescue the child. They must navigate a tense, high-stakes confrontation with the family holding the boy, leading to a desperate struggle to bring their grandson home.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1961 Montana, retired sheriff George Blackledge and his wife Margaret live on a ranch. After their son James dies in a riding accident, the family is fractured. In 1963, Margaret learns that their grandson, Jimmy, is being held by a dangerous family in North Dakota. When she witnesses the boy's mother, Lorna, being abused by her partner Donnie, she and George travel to find them. They encounter a local man, Peter, who helps them navigate the area. They eventually find the family of Donnie, who is part of a group including his mother Blanche and uncle Bill. After a tense confrontation at a motel where George is injured, the situation escalates. George eventually tracks down the family's home. In a violent climax, George infiltrates the house to rescue Jimmy. A chaotic shootout ensues; Blanche accidentally kills Bill, and George manages to get Jimmy out while facing off against the others. In the final confrontation, Margaret finds George and Blanche; she ultimately kills Blanche as the house burns. Margaret escapes with Lorna and Jimmy, heading back to Montana.
- First release year
- 2020
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Thomas Bezucha
- Writers
- Thomas Bezucha · writer
- Cast and characters
- Diane Lane · Margaret; Kevin Costner · George Blackledge; Lesley Manville · Lorna; Kayli Carter · Blanche; Will Brittain · Bill; Jeffrey Donovan · Donnie
- Genres
- neo-Western; thriller; drama
- Themes
- Family; Sacrifice; Protection; Violence
- Tone and mood
- Suspenseful; Dramatic; Gritty
- Setting
- Montana and North Dakota, 1961-1963
- Premise and plot tags
- Road Movie; Rescue Mission; Western
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2013 novel of the same name by Larry Watson
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews and was described as a skillfully executed thriller that blends suspense with honest emotion.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 63 · scale: 100 · review count: 36; PostTrak · score: 82% · scale: percentage · review count: audience members
- Production trivia
- The film was originally scheduled for an August 2020 release but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.; The studio spent approximately $8 million on promotion.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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