Let Him Go is a 2020 American thriller based on Larry Watson’s novel Let Him Go. In a cinematic world dominated by superhero blockbusters, this retrospective Western feels like a breath of fresh air. Restrained in its quiet rhythms and immense beauty, the film is bolstered by strong performances and punctuated by shocking moments of violence. Blending drama, romance, and loss, the movie was filmed entirely in Alberta. Read more on calgary-trend.
Plot
Set in the early 1960s in the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota, the story follows retired sheriff George Blackledge and his wife, Margaret. The couple lives on a ranch with their son James, his wife Lorna, and their grandson Jimmy.
One day, George discovers James’ body near a stream in the woods; James had fallen from his horse and broken his neck. Two years later, the widowed Lorna marries a criminal named Donnie, seeking support to raise her son. Margaret witnesses a violent altercation between Donnie and Lorna, where Donnie strikes both her and Jimmy. Later, Margaret learns that Donnie has taken Lorna and Jimmy to North Dakota.
Determined to rescue her grandson, Margaret decides to track them down. Skeptical but unwilling to let Margaret embark on the dangerous journey alone, George joins her. Facing off against formidable adversaries, the couple risks everything for their family’s safety.
Filming Locations
Although the story is set in North Dakota and Montana, the movie was filmed entirely in Alberta from April to May 2019. The production prominently features Calgary, Fort Macleod, Drumheller, High River, and Didsbury.
Fort Macleod, known for its rich concentration of historic buildings, provided the perfect backdrop. For example, the JC Edgar Building, dating back to 1906, served as the apartment where Lorna and Donnie live in Dalton at the beginning of the movie. This same building was also featured in Brokeback Mountain (2005). Fort Macleod was used to depict the town of Bentrock (North Dakota), including the scene where George and Margaret first stop at the local sheriff’s office.
Drumheller’s Riverside Value Drug Mart was transformed into the Red Owl Food store.
Many landscapes the couple traverses on their journey to North Dakota were filmed in the Drumheller Badlands and the Red Deer River Valley. The Moon Wink Motel was filmed at the Badlands Motel in Drumheller.
The Weboy family farm was shot on private property at Albertina Farming in High River.
The interior of a restaurant featured in the film was shot at JD’s Restaurant and Pizza in Didsbury. Some scenes were also filmed at CL Western Town and Backlot, a multifunctional studio in Bragg Creek west of Calgary, which features buildings from the 1850s to the 1930s.
A Clash of Matriarchs
The older couple, George and Margaret, striving to rescue their young grandson, is portrayed by Kevin Costner and Diane Lane. The two had previously played Superman’s adoptive parents in Man of Steel (2013).
Kevin Costner seamlessly balances sensitivity and rugged masculinity in his performances, a combination that has defined his stardom. Whether battling cancer in 3 Days to Kill or portraying a grieving father in Molly’s Game, his roles consistently portray a deep sense of struggle.
Diane Lane, who began acting on stage at age six, is renowned for her roles in Francis Ford Coppola films like The Outsiders (1983) and Rumble Fish (1983). She was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Unfaithful (2002) and is well-known for films such as Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) and Justice League (2017).
While the thriller has its share of violence, Costner and Lane’s chemistry elevates it to an elegiac Western romance. Their journey unfolds against the backdrop of Alberta’s lush meadows, forests, mountains, and solitary roads, making the couple appear as an integral part of the vast natural landscape.
The screenplay, adapted by writer-director Thomas Bezucha, hints at the nuances of George and Margaret’s 30-year marriage. Their relationship is tested when George’s purchase of alcohol on the road subtly alludes to his past struggles with drinking. Margaret’s brief conversation with a young Native American man about a horse provides poignant insight into her childhood.
A heartfelt dinner table conversation between George and Margaret is one of the most moving moments in the film. Rarely are cinematic discussions about loss and memory so emotionally charged.
When the Blackledges reach North Dakota and confront Donnie’s family, the film takes a darker turn. Lesley Manville steals the spotlight as Blanche Weboy, Donnie’s sinister mother, who wields manipulation as skillfully as she wields pork chops and cigarettes. Blanche embodies a larger-than-life character from a bygone era, turning the movie into a chilling clash of wills between noble protagonists and a brutal clan.
Reception and Criticism
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 84% based on 192 reviews, with an average score of 7/10. On Metacritic, it scored 63 out of 100 based on 36 reviews.
Critic Owen Gleiberman praised the performances, noting that the lead actors “give it their all in a genre film that combines suspense with heartfelt emotion.” Most critics highlighted the dynamic between Costner and Lane as the film’s standout feature.
Aimed primarily at audiences over 50, this expertly crafted thriller explores themes of heartbreak, loss, and resilience. It balances tender drama with brutal action, offering a raw portrayal of family bonds and the lengths to which a mother will go for her child’s happiness—no matter the cost.
