Rebuilding is a film that couldn’t be more timely in its subject matter. From the Australian Black Summer bushfires of 2020 to the California wildfires earlier in the year, the world has seen just how devastating and catastrophic these natural disasters can be. They are dangerously powerful and destroy everything in their path, including entire lives and homes that have been built. After suffering such loss, where does one even begin in order to start again? With a realistic yet hopeful viewpoint, Rebuilding tries to answer this very question.
When wildfires ravage through Colorado, they wipe out an old family ranch belonging to cowboy Dusty (Josh O’Connor). Losing the home that his family has owned for four generations, as well as his livelihood and source of income, Dusty is left with nothing. Seeking shelter, Dusty relocates to a FEMA campsite, which is in close proximity to where his ex-wife Ruby (Megan Fahy) and nine-year-old daughter Callie-Rose (Lily LaTorre) live, along with Ruby’s new partner, Robbie (Sam Enbring), and her mother, Bess (Amy Madigan). This allows for Dusty to spend more time with Callie-Rose, who frequently visits the site. As the pair bond with each other, they also connect with the other residents there who too have lost their homes. Finding an unlikely community with his new neighbours, Dusty begins to have hope for the future. However, he also realises that it’s not just his home that needs rebuilding, but himself too.
Rebuilding is a sweet and tender film that takes an observant and slice-of-life approach to its narrative. It’s a slow-paced and quiet journey that focuses on tensions between the characters that are brimming beneath the surface. Due to this, it does take a little while for interest to really pique, but once the relationships are established and start to grow, the path it takes becomes much more captivating. At the core of the film are touching themes around found family, the way that shared loss can bring people together, and even the positives that can emerge from such devastation. The rural landscape of the American West is beautifully captured, adding to the film’s serene and meditative atmosphere. Leading actor Josh O’Connor has previously impressed audiences as Prince Charles in The Crown and in Luca Guadigino’s Challengers, and with Rebuilding, he continues to cement himself as a notable rising talent in the industry. He balances stoicism and vulnerability quite effectively, elevating Dusty above cowboy stereotypes. The White Lotus‘s Megan Fahy also puts in strong supportive work, and young LaTorre is a little scene-stealer and the beating heart of the film.
However, the stripped-back and leisurely nature of Rebuilding is also what holds it back from being truly memorable. Director Max-Walker Silverman clearly has a vision for the type of film he is making, and it is one that obviously leans more towards subtlety than action. This is not a bad thing, but viewers may be left wanting a bit more meat in terms of story and conflict.
Rebuilding is a touching and restrained drama, and while it lacks the complete grit and boldness to make it truly stand out, it still evokes an empathetic response and is an admirable effort.
