Meek's Cutoff

“The Road to Civilisation is Not Always Civilised.”

Three wagons have been crossing the Oregon High Desert in 1845 behind a guide, Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), who swore he knew a shortcut, and now the water is low and no one can say where they are. Kelly Reichardt keeps the camera at the pace of the oxen and the women's bonnets, so the settlers' arguments reach us only in pieces. Emily Tetherow (Michelle Williams) watches Meek and starts to doubt him.