Carolina Caroline

There's something so wrongfully enticing about living a life on the run. That outlaw state of mind, the promise of the open road and chasing the horizon without being burdened by the stresses and challenges of daily life. It's not that many of us would have the stomach for such a lifestyle in practice, but there is an element of thrill to be derived from it, a guilty pleasure so to speak, and it's this very nature director Adam Rehmeier looks to tap into in Carolina Caroline.

This is a Bonnie and Clyde tale through and through, a story that follows a Texan woman who joins a smooth-talking man on the run, ultimately being pulled further and further into his criminal and unsultry ways as they blaze a trail of glory across the United States. It's a sexy and thrilling ride, one built on the foundation of the pair's somewhat twisted relationship, a narrative able to tap into heisting and sly crime while also preserving honest human emotional ties, all as the pair deal with their challenging childhoods and become ever closer as they move from state to state without worrying about the repercussions of their actions.

In the leading roles we find Samara Weaving as the titular Caroline alongside Kyle Gallner's Oliver, and the pair make for a strong and convincing duo. Their connection and the personas of each character they bring to life is the entire backbone of this story, as the rest of the supporting characters only have brief and minor appearances compared to the screen time Caroline and Oliver share, mostly together too. While this leading duo are effective at what they do, you can't help but wonder if having a central antagonising figure as a key supporting player would have added an extra layer of depth this film doesn't possess, a Frank Hamer-like figure (if we stick to the Bonnie and Clyde theme) if you will, all to give a greater sense the law is snapping at the pair's heels throughout the story, instead of this only really taking shape within the third act.

You could argue Carolina Caroline is split into two tales. The first half is a romance story where we get to see Caroline and Oliver meet, become entranced by one another, and feed on each other's respective worst traits to spiral into this inescapable life of crime. The second half of the flick is then a no-brakes crime-thriller where the illusion comes crashing down and the pair finally face repercussions for their choices, both in regards to the law closing in on them and then giving chase, but also in regards to Caroline having a reckoning with her estranged mother played by Kyra Sedgwick, an event that leaves a huge impact on the titular character and effectively breaks her resolve. While the first half of the film is enviable and suave, the second half is emotional, crushing, and consistently tense, making for a memorable and entertaining ride.

But again, as I mentioned earlier, the range of Carolina Caroline is perhaps its weakest element, as while Weaving and Gallner thrive in their roles, there's little to write home about beyond these two individuals. Sure Sedgwick has her place, but like the other characters in the wider tale, we're talking about a brief and fleeting role that ultimately gets a tad lost in the sauce, making for a wider world you almost forget exists outside of the confines of the leading pair.

But even though I do have a few gripes with Carolina Caroline, what we have here is a movie that doesn't really waste your time and serves up an interesting core story enhanced by its convincing leads. It's a fine watch, a fresh exploration into the crime-thriller segment, and a rather enticing portrayal of Americana culture too, and ultimately you'll enjoy your time with this film.