The Dark Divide

Released Sep 18, 2020

1 hr. 47 min.

Adventure

Drama

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List

93%

14 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

After the death of his wife, nature writer Robert Pyle pushes himself to the limit by hiking through Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

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Good K

This movie starts off slow and then really slows down. And at first I thought I might not last to the end. Early in the film director Tom Putnam dives deep into the pain and suffering that cancer brings to Robert Pyle's beloved wife Thea. It is honest and real but takes a big unnecessary step in that direction for a bit to long. I think the writer and director would have served this film far better by focusing on the relationship between Robert and Thea in life rather than death. If you have made it to adulthood, you know how cancer ravages the body and the devastating affects of chemo. Take us on the true love story of this couple and the journey into the woods. By the time we get there, there is a depressed mood in the director's vision and he takes a long time before finally bringing us back to the reason we are watching. Yes I know this is Robert Pyle's life … but the rawness of those scenes to me to far out of the reason I choose to watch this film. However, when the film does finally come back around, text twists and turns that are often unexpected. Just when you think Putnam is going to fall back on old cliche characters (the environmentalist vs the "world" and the evil people opposing them) he brings a sweetness to the characters that catches his audience by surprise. Is this Pyle's perspective or Putnam? Regardless it was so refreshing to not head down that "preachy" path that is so much apart of film making these days. And it's always the same good characters versus the same bad characters that are to predictable and unlike anyone you meet in the real world. Bravo. In the end I found this film's gentle meandering through the Midwest forests a pleasant ride. Most of the music is terrific, all of the actors are solid and the cinematography is wonderful. I loved looking at this film and it had me yearning to read Pyle‘s book(s) … The final scene wraps this piece up beautifully and gives us all a humorous look at our all to short lives here. We are only visitors all trying to find our way back "home"

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Angelica G

This was a really good movie. It touched life, death, nature, Bigfoot, mystery, danger, and love. Definitely recommend. Great acting and beautiful scenery.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/18/23

Full Review

Justin W

While a little uneven at times, The Dark Divide is a rarity among the "healing through nature" genre. The film expects you can do some mental arithmetic to put certain themes together. From the utter helplessness of watching a loved one succumb to cancer. To the utterly ridiculous situations one often finds themselves in when venturing into the unknown alone. There is an undercurrent of absurdity through out it, and in a way it adds realism. David Cross couldn't have been better cast as the lead. Debra Messing is almost unrecognizable, and though only given a short amount of screen time; it's possibly one of her best rolls. The filming is beautiful when the vast open spaces need to inspire. And it's jittery and claustrophobic when the plot beats require it. Some might feel that the plot is spread to thin. But realistically this isn't a story written around an contrived plot. It's a narrative built around an actual experience. With just enough symbolism to fill in the emotional gaps. Overall it was a really enjoyable film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

ben n

The movie is a love letter to the great outdoors and embracing life. Death is inevitable and scary and potentially very painful for all of us. I think that we all have to take it at some point and this film is about the fact that there is life after death for those of us who loved. That is so griping. Honestly, the plot meanders a bit -- being more about those feelings than a traditional movie narrative. I enjoyed the portrayal of the backwoods, appreciated the nod to a Native American point of view, as well as that of the logging workers, and even the dirt bikers at the end of the trail. The film allows the viewer to weigh these things and their merit on their own. The film is about the relationships between love and death, modern and simple life, technology and nature, and science and faith. That last one is particularly interesting and the most compelling reason for me to believe in the supernatural for a long time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave d

Subtly captivating and generally fun despite a slow pace. David Cross is himself with a long beard and your enjoyment of this film will largely depend on if you enjoy the comedic acting talents of Cross. Tom Putnam, who wrote and directed, gives it a documentary feel, but still makes you feel like you're watching a movie. What's incredible is this bizarre tale is based on a true story. It was quite entertaining and never dull! Final Score: 7.2/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Moving honest and Beautiful. Hoping a lot more people see this movie. Well done

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Tom Putnam

Director

David Cross

Robert Pyle

Debra Messing

Thea Pyle

Cameron Esposito

Monty

David Koechner

Shayne

Kimberly Guerrero

Teresa

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The Dark Divide: Trailer 1

2:34

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

It's all a reminder of how vulnerable our world is - as vulnerable as the human heart.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 25, 2020

Full Review

Frank Scheck

Hollywood Reporter

For a movie about a lepidopterist, The Dark Divide is awfully entertaining.

Sep 18, 2020

Full Review

Shaena Montanari

Arizona Republic

"The Dark Divide" will win over nature lovers with stunning visuals and an overarching message about the importance of conserving our unpredictable planet and relishing the beauty of exploring it.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 15, 2020

Full Review

Rick Bentley

KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)

Director Tom Putnam has created a movie that on the surface looks like a one-man show about a long walk. Go just a little deeper and it is obvious The Dark Divide is a tale of testing a person’s limits that has a universal feel.

Rated: 3/4

May 21, 2021

Full Review

Charles Koplinski

Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam

"The Dark Divide" provides a healing adventure filled with humor but more importantly, a poignant resiliency which nature provides for all mankind.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Nov 27, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The scenery is out of this world beautiful.

Rated: A-

Oct 30, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

After the death of his wife, nature writer Robert Pyle pushes himself to the limit by hiking through Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Director: Tom Putnam
Executive Producer: Reap Thomas Hume
Screenwriter: Tom Putnam
Distributor: Strike Back Studios
Production Co: Public House Films , Loaded Image Entertainment, TBVE
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2020

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