3 Nights in the Desert

We grow up. We change. And yet we often want our friends to stay the same. Or better yet, to make up for how they may have hurt us a long time ago. Sometimes we get that, sometimes we don't, and sometimes the fiercest, most passionate friendships come to blows. 3 Days in the Desert is a heartfelt story about those sorts of relationships, and how we try to make them better, but maybe learn something about who we are in the process. It's at times funny, but mostly appropriately sensitive and rueful about a lost friendship that could be rekindled. The writing is terrific, the cinematography is gorgeous and Wes Bentley and Amber Tamblyn shimmer in their roles. Believable but also magnetic. The other character, Barry, could have been softened in a lot of ways, but I find it really interesting that he wasn't. Can we be generous to the person whose dream changed along the way? Can we forgive the friend who broke our heart? This movie gives you a lot to think about. Watch it and then call an old friend. They want to hear from you too, I bet.

Three close friends born in the same week agree to meet when they turn 30 at the isolated SoCal abode of the artistic loner of the bunch (Wes Bentley). They were in an up-and-coming band in their youth but have since gone their separate ways. The female vocalist has stayed in the music business with moderate success overseas (Amber Tamblyn) while the drummer is now a tax lawyer with a family back east (Vincent Piazza).

"3 Nights in the Desert" (2014) is a dialogue-driven Indie drama that meshes "The Big Chill" (1983) with bits of the underrated "The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll" (2009), yet in the milieu of the empty 'wasteland,' akin to the later "Girl From Nowhere" (2017).

The scenic desert cinematography is a highlight along with Tamblyn's voluptuous beauty, which is contrasted by the concealed sadness of her character. Meanwhile this is arguably Bentley's best role; with his intense demeanor, he fits it perfectly and is sometimes stunning.

Yes, there is some awkward TMI dialogue in the first reel, but I think the writer was trying to get across how close these people were at one time and, therefore, how comfortable they are casually discussing the most intimate aspects of their lives at a campfire or wherever.

As in "The Big Chill" and "Return of the Secaucus Seven" (1980), the protagonists talk about old times, where they're at now, and future possibilities. Old grievances come to the fore while romantic flames reignite. Like those two prior flicks, the viewer could argue that the movie's pointless, but that would be like saying it's worthless to walk day-by-day with an aging, dear relative before they pass from this plane. How much is that worth?

So, there are gems to mine, especially for those who've been in similar situations. Travis, for instance, still refuses to bend his artistic principles for what he considers fake success while Anna sees the practicality of compromise. Meanwhile Barry has settled for societal convention and "success," but is he fulfilled and happy? He gives off the vibe of the proverbial "life of quiet desperation" despite his condescending scorn for Travis' chosen circumstances.

Needless to say, you have to be in a mood for a drama with a limited cast to appreciate this flick. I just saw "The Big Chill" and "Return of the Secaucus Seven" and, as far as I'm concerned, this is the best of the lot regardless of its budget-oriented shortcomings.

After watching, you might be inspired to give an old friend or two a call. Go out to coffee or have a campfire. It'll probably be worth it, even if things get too honest, too passionate, too... challenging.

The film runs 1 hours, 22 minutes, and was shot in Agua Dulce in the desolate high country north of Los Angeles.

GRADE: B.

Absoluetly awful! i don't know who they paid to get a 7.0 rating on IMDb. Three lousy actors, sleepwalking through an awful movie. Terribly written, badly directed, badly acted. I can go on and on...

All you have to do is to to YouTube and look this movie's trailer. Those were the most painful 2 minutes of my life.

Tag line:"THE BIG CHILL meets THE GRADUATE." Really? You should be so lucky as to do a "THE BIG CHILL meets THE GRADUATE." Nothing like the Big Chill and nothing like The Graduate. Using that tag line is an insult to the creators of those masterpieces. Just by attempting to link yourself to the likes of Larry Kasdan and Mike Nichols does not make you a "filmmaker."

Viewers: Don't waste your time. Don't be impressed by the fake credentials. Don't believe the hype. Go watch cat videos on YouTube instead.

It wasn't the acting that bothered me at all. I thought the acting was pretty good. The entire concept of this movie, the world we live in, and how it shatters our dreams is what tormented me about this film. I respected the work that went into it enough to finish watching but after I was done I felt like I needed to forget all about it and never watch it again. Why is that? There are people in this world who say they are going to do something and follow through with their actions. There are people in this world who try something a few times, then quit, and just let life take them as they drift away into a meaningless existence. I felt like this movie was trying to teach me to go drift away into a meaningless existence. It is a very depressing, cold hard dose of reality that shows us how most younger musicians view themselves today. They feel their talents aren't important enough to make a living out of it so they go end up doing some job that they hate and stay miserable. To sum it up take three former band mates, put them out in the middle of nowhere, and let them drink until they feel better about giving up on their instruments. I wasn't sold. By the end of the movie I wanted to go write myself a masterpiece and I was not going to let the movie defeat me.

Sort of a strange story about three friends, who haven't seen each other in a long time, meeting at the home of the one who has chosen to be a recluse way out in the desert. As the story progress you learn they shared an interest in breaking into the music industry as a 'band' - but it never came to pass - and all three friends have gone in separate directions.

Travis is the desert recluse, Anna and Barry have pursued professional lives and have joined the society as responsible members. Travis has a real problem with this. He rejected society for the solitude of the desert and his own thoughts. In my opinion Travis makes it clear that he was physically attracted to both Anna and Barry. Travis knows he cannot cross this barrier with either Barry or Anna. Barry and Anna had their own thing and Travis was always the third wheel.

So to sum up this rather forgettable movie - Travis instigated this reunion to tell his two friends (and in a very abstract psychotic way) that he is going to kill himself. What are the clues? 1. Travis takes them to that mystery cave. 2. Travis disappears one night. 3. Travis sends Barry & Anna off to go home in his truck, without Travis. 4. As the story ends Travis is seen going into the cave - now his crypt! The end.

This movie is only firing on 3 cylinders and never gets to the point.