As Pure Grit highlights Weed’s efforts to get her adrenaline back from bareback horse riding, Martinez enters the picture. The two ladies are one of the few gay couples in the area and share a bond that shapes a huge part of their lives. This is especially true during the days Weed was completely involved in her sister’s care after an injury.
Elsewhere, we also see personal accounts of Weed’s brothers, her mother, and a slight exploration of the family through her niece. Through one of Weed’s brothers, Bartley tries to understand the life of kids at Wind River. She looks into how its isolation from the ever-growing urbanization, as well as lack of deviation from their cultural upbringing, affects their life choices and state of mind. Through this approach, the filmmaker gathers what Weed’s life as a kid (which was way harsher) must have been like. Bartley’s deep focus on Weed’s passion for bareback horse riding is crucial to the film’s heart. Pure Grit doesn’t hide the dangers of the sport. This facet of Weed’s life reflects hope and optimism in her and her family’s lives, who continue to fight against all odds and struggles that come their way.
“…amazing camera work.”
The director’s dive into the emotions of her subjects is positively spotlit through her amazing camera work. Bartley, who also served as the cinematographer, uses a variety of shots to showcase her vision. The use of overhead drones exhibits the life of people in Wind River, while her wide-angle shots, especially on riding tracks, highlight each aspect of Weed’s individuality. Editor Paul Mullen further intensifies these shots through crisp and tightly-aligned cuts to naturalize the distorted and uncertain life of the subject.
Pure Grit isn’t a story of a horse rider making a comeback. Instead, it’s about the unpredictable cruelness of life, wherein a Shoshone girl keeps her head high, embraces life as is, and continues to move forward with hope. The film conveys an extraordinary tale of inspiration that shall touch your heart at its deepest. The film, in all forms, is the most complete documentary I have ever seen, which will push you to relive your life choices and make you embrace the fact that everything must keep going on.
"…the most complete documentary I have ever seen..."
