Move Me No Mountain (2023) Poster

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8/10
A compelling, well-composed indie film
baccaruda127 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
When done right, there isn't anything fun about homelessness. And also when done right, homelessness can create a compelling narrative, especially when every day bring new challenges, both banal and terrifying. I recall a scene in the brilliant Terry Gilliam film "The Fisher King" where a TV executive wants to create a series about HAPPY street people. Of course that scenario was absurd and the movie showed exactly why. Because most of the challenges these people face must feel like trying to nudge a mountain from bedrock, and when even small victories still seem like Sisyphus toiling to get that boulder back to the top of the mountain, only to have it roll to the bottom, every day, for eternity. Decidedly NOT happy, that's for sure. Triple threat writer/director/editor Deborah Richards has crafted a narrative that incorporates these elements into her story and brings it to life with beautifully composed shots that underscore the harsh realities of street living, a juxtaposition made even more stark by the glitzy Las Vegas background. Then there's the writing. The script artistically reveals the tragic event that brought realtor Jenna (in a nuanced performance by Cat Lellie) to the streets. Episodic scenes show banal daily struggles that are often sharply collide with the police, unstable street people, sneering civilians, and violent interlopers. It is however, in it's hopeful ending that the film finds a perfect denouement - the love of a child, the return of long-cold motherly instincts, and the possibility that those things could change the lives of two souls who desperately need a new path.
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8/10
A gritty powerful look at mental health and life on the streets
DawnFields25 February 2023
This film captures a dark and gritty side of homelessness thru the eyes of the main character, Jenna. It was a refreshing choice to see the film set in Las Vegas. The desperation, sadness and loneliness of being alone on the streets were well captured. The film takes a deep dive into the mental fallout that can happen after a devastating life event. It's hard not to feel sorry for Jenna, while also rooting for her to find a way out of this darkness. The characters she meets along the way are interesting and you really get a sense for what that life is like on the streets. A well-done character study on the power of grief.
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8/10
Transcends Expectations
bazblackpiercing16 February 2024
Transcends Expectations

"Move Me No Mountain" is a poignant and introspective exploration of grief, guilt, and the transformative power of self-discovery. At its heart lies the captivating story of Jenna Anderson, brilliantly portrayed by the talented cast.

From the opening moments, viewers are drawn into Jenna's world-a world overshadowed by the tragic loss of her daughter. As a real estate agent crippled by guilt, Jenna's decision to walk away from society and embrace the rugged streets of Sin City, Las Vegas, is both brave and heart-wrenching.

The cinematography beautifully captures the gritty yet vibrant landscape of Las Vegas, serving as a powerful backdrop to Jenna's inner turmoil.

What sets "Move Me No Mountain" apart is its emotional depth and authenticity. Rather than shying away from the complexities of grief, the film confronts them head-on, presenting a nuanced portrayal of Jenna's struggles and triumphs.

Ultimately, "Move Me No Mountain" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Through Jenna's journey, audiences are reminded of the power of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and the enduring hope for a brighter tomorrow. Poignant, moving, and deeply resonant, this film is a must-watch for anyone seeking a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
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1/10
Did we watch the same movie?
PwnPocalypse24 March 2023
I'm sorry, but this was... just not a very good film. I caught it on a whim and thought it looked interesting, but found myself mentally checking out early on. I powered through the rest.

The acting is just not very good. I don't know who the lead actress is, but she could stand to take more lessons because none of her performance felt believable in the slightest. Lots of overacting and it made me cringe more than once. The directing and cinematography was okay, but nothing special either.

Overall, this is a poorly made film with. It's also incredibly pretentious. Save your hard earned money on something else.
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9/10
Cinematic Character Study
kjs114428 February 2023
Move Me No Mountain is a completely unique and original movie. A realtor wrestles with the guilt over her daughter's death and falls into a downward spiral in Las Vegas. The film focuses on themes of loss, depression, fear, and survival. The acting was excellent throughout, including some really memorable performances by a couple of the minor characters. Personally, I really enjoy movies that are character studies and this one is fascinating. I think the thing that impressed me the most though, was the direction by Deborah Richards. I really liked the shot composition and the camera angles throughout the entire film. The images felt very fresh and cinematic. I think that for a film which is a character study...to also have shots that are so cinematic, is exceedingly rare, and deserves recognition. Give this movie a watch!
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9/10
A Gut-Wrenching Journey
bob_rose16 November 2023
Move No More Mountain is a gut-wrenching journey into the heart of human struggle. I've seen my fair share of films, but this indie masterpiece is a raw and authentic exploration of grief, guilt, and the unexpected places we find redemption. Jenna Anderson's descent into the harsh streets of Vegas is a gripping narrative that transcends the screen. The visuals paint a stark yet beautiful portrait of homelessness, capturing the grit of Sin City with haunting precision. The soundtrack is a soulful companion, adding layers to Jenna's emotional unraveling. It's not an easy watch, but it's a necessary one. Move No More Mountain is a triumph in storytelling, making you reflect on the fragility of life and the power of resilience.
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10/10
Interesting lead
bddqxczmk22 March 2024
The film doens't pull any punches from the start, something is troubling the main protagonist and it is not an easy fix.

Las Vegas shows its seedier side in this exploration of the human condition and what makes us human. Jennas overwhelming grief leads her to to leave her home and voluntairily become homeless. The people in the streets and in the underground passes both treat her horribly and it does a lot to explain the plight a lot of the homeless must feel.

I felt affected by the film as well, having been taken with grief in the past it gave me a new perspective on things which is nice especially when you are left alone with your thoughts.
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let me tell you
thejhorton3 August 2023
Man, let me tell you 'bout this flick, Move No Mountain (2023), a debut masterpiece from the visionary Deborah Richards. It's a gut-wrenching ride, man, takin' us deep into the heart of human despair and desolation.

We meet Jenna Anderson, a real estate agent weighed down by guilt, her soul crushed by the loss of her own daughter. And she does somethin' crazy, somethin' daring, man-she walks away from her cozy life, venturin' into the mean streets of Las Legas. There, among the harsh realities of homelessness and strugglin', Jenna goes on an emotional odyssey, man, a journey that'll shake ya to the core.

Deborah Richards, she's got that touch, that rawness that makes you feel every twist and turn in the story, man. It's like she's diggin' deep into the soul, layin' bare all the pain and hope we carry inside. And Jenna, played by an amazing cast, is a vessel for all of it, man, carryin' the weight of her sorrow and findin' her way through the darkness.

In the alleys and corners of Las Legas, Jenna meets a colorful crew of souls, each with their own story to tell, man. It's like a mosaic of humanity, showin' us the depths of human connections and the struggles we all face. These encounters, they teach Jenna-and us-about empathy, about the strength of the human spirit.

The cinematography, man, it captures the grit and glamour of Las Legas, juxtaposin' the glitter with the shadows. It's like the lens is showin' us the truth, revealin' the beauty and the ugliness side by side. And the music, man, it's like the soundtrack of our souls, resonatin' with every beat of the story.

Move No Mountain, it's a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, man. It's makin' us question ourselves, our choices, and how we relate to others. Deborah Richards, she's got this gift of makin' us look deeper, man, askin' us to see the hope even in the darkest moments.

This flick, man, it's like a trip, an emotional journey that'll leave ya spellbound. Deborah Richards, with her debut, she's showin' us she's got somethin' special, man. It's a flick that sticks with ya, makin' ya ponder life and the people we meet along the way.

In the end, Move No Mountain is an emotional whirlwind, man, a flick ya don't wanna miss. So buckle up, get ready for a ride that'll touch ya deep in your soul, and remind ya of the beauty that lies even in the most desolate corners of our existence.
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7/10
Desolation in Las Vegas
lauterzeit19 February 2024
Heartfelt and stylish exploration of a guilt-stricken mother, Jenna. The film's juxtaposition of her prior posh realtor existence and her current state of homelessness, is quite powerful. The desolate outskirts of Las Vegas is the perfect setting for conveying our protagonist's emotional landscape.

Nice, and unconventional framing of the city make for a unique story. Effective editing and music choices further enhance the film's impact. The second act has a few slow, awkward moments, but overall the viewing experience is compelling. There is also a great exchange between Jenna and some of her former real estate clients. Recommended!
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10/10
"Move Me No Mountain" is a poignant journey through the depths of grief and the resilience of the human spirit.
ethan_minsker25 April 2024
"Move Me No Mountain" is a poignant journey through the depths of grief and the resilience of the human spirit. Starring the remarkable Cat Lellie as Jenna Anderson, under the masterful direction of Deborah Richards, this film immerses viewers in a world where pain and redemption collide on the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas.

At its core, "Move Me No Mountain" is a testament to the power of music and visuals in storytelling. The soundtrack, spanning genres from punk rock to folk to hip hop, serves as a guiding force, seamlessly weaving through the emotional landscape of the film. Each note resonates with the audience, enhancing every scene and evoking a visceral response.

The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking, capturing the essence of Nevada's sprawling landscapes and the pulsating energy of the Las Vegas Strip. From the fading hues of dusk to the vibrant glow of neon signs, every frame is meticulously crafted to immerse viewers in Jenna's world.

But beyond its aesthetic brilliance, "Move Me No Mountain" delves deep into the complexities of trauma and survival. Jenna's journey, fueled by guilt and despair, is a heart-wrenching exploration of loss and the lengths we go to cope with unimaginable pain. Through her encounters with a diverse cast of characters, from angels to demons, we are confronted with the harsh realities of life on the streets and the resilience of the human spirit.

"Move Me No Mountain" is more than just a film-it's a profound meditation on the human experience. It challenges us to confront our own vulnerabilities and empathize with those who are often overlooked in society. With its powerful performances, captivating visuals, and soul-stirring narrative, this is a film that will move audiences to tears and leave a lasting impact long after the credits roll.
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9/10
Timely and moving.
beemtoaustin13 November 2023
Very effective design and use of wide screen cinematography that in lesser hands could've come off extremely pretentious, but not here where the pacing and concept of using Vegas' overwhelming visuals of wealth and greed so prominently, serves to draw us into the lonely, real world day to day struggles of the desperate characters. Vegas posing as a permanent canvas to the overt spiritual poverty within the immediate reach of mega casinos works very well and the performances feel authentic and well cast. The story is timely and very moving and everyone involved should be proud in presenting this powerful film.
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9/10
Grief and Isolation
dtittone22 March 2023
Writer, Director, and Cinematographer Deborah Richards delivers a powerful film about loss, grief, and isolation in her feature "Move Me No Mountain." Actress Cat Lellie provides a riveting performance as a grieving mother (Jenna Anderson) who succumbs to her own grief. As she begins to separate herself from society, she ultimately decides to join the homeless population of Las Vegas. Through this, Deborah Richards brilliantly captures the underbelly of society, and the trials and tribulations that occur on the streets of many cities across America. Everything about his movie works, and works well. I highly recommend "Move Me No Mountain."
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10/10
Fantastic Movie!!!
mrtylerlarson24 February 2023
I've been anticipating this movie, and the wait was totally worth it! The acting and the casting was phenomenal! The cinematography was fantastic, and the music was powerful! The script was also a story that I'd never heard before. This was a 125 minute experience that truly invited me into the world of the lead character (Jenna) and held me there for the duration of the film. The way that the camera angles captured the experience of Jenna's homelessness experience in Las Vegas was both heart-wrenching and captivating. Move Me No Mountain is a journey into the messiness of grief and the self-discovery that comes with it. It's a powerful film that i highly recommend! Congratulations to Deborah and the whole crew for creating an awesome movie! 10 Stars!!!
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9/10
A Moving Story
cjuhl-3207723 April 2023
I watched this film on my laptop twice. I was moved by the film Move Me No Mountain, a feature narrative, which told a story of a young woman trying to find her new identity after a tragedy.

The film's compositions, coloring, sets and music were outstanding. The lead lady Cat Lelie Jenna Anderson's performance was impeccable. I enjoyed the beautiful cinematic experience. The film's audio is great. I can't wait to watch Move Me No Mountain on a big screen.

Bravo to filmmaker Deborah Richards's writing and direction. I highly recommend you renting or buying this film on Amazon Prime, and watching it with no interruptions.
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10/10
More Than A Movie
firstfeatures2 March 2023
As a seasoned movie reviewer with more than a decade of critiques under my belt, I don't review a lot of movies anymore. I found out about this film on Clubhouse and figured it might be worth my time, especially after seeing the trailer. I should say that trailers usually turn me off rather than intrigue me. I am glad it did, because you had to look very closely to find flaws in this film. From the beginning to the end, it kept my attention and moved me more than most big budget movies. The acting, directing, camera work, sound and music, everything was simply amazing. Even the flashbacks, which I usually tear apart in my reviews, worked, the editing was superb. A tribute to women and the homeless, this is a project that will remain in the forefront of my mind when talking about what an independent, low budget film can accomplish.
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9/10
Astounding performance from lead actress Cat Lellie on serious topics
HaunaniJohnson25 May 2023
Lead actress Cat Lellie gave a wonderful performance as her character struggles through serious loss, depression & chosen homelessness. This is a film unlike any other I have watched. I have a heart for the homeless & I'm glad this movie showed how not all homeless people are strung out on drugs like many people assume... homeless people come from all different backgrounds, as we all do! Many are homeless because mental illness, ptsd, foreclosures and so many other reasons! I highly recommend watching this film. I know something's good if it makes me cry multiple times throughout haha! And I definitely cried several times watching this!
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9/10
A very compelling narrative. Life can throw curves at us all.
alexjd-063102 October 2023
A very compelling narrative. Life can throw curves at us all. The film explores both homelessness and personal trauma. It showcases the daily mundane struggles of living on the streets, as well as the internal drama of overcoming. The lead actress does a very sensitive performance. She helps carry the film by a long stretch. The movie explores many spiritual topics as well as the practical topics of homelessness. The film looks great for an indie. They put a lot of work into the camera direction and color. I would say they could have done more work with the dialogue, and the pacing, but overall, very nice work for an indie directorial debut.
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10/10
Beautiful Title For A Beautiful Film
Classicfilmnoir12 March 2023
Tremendous writing, acting, directing and cinematography frame this beautiful story. The narrative is at once challenging and inspiring. The film is at times heart-wrenching, at times encouraging, but always engaging. It is in many ways a parable of grief of any kind and the challenges and discovery that are possible through it. It is a cautionary tale of the dangers of the darkness and potential self-destruction that exists beneath the surface, not only of Sin City, but in all cities across the country. Move Me No Mountain also puts a real face to the plight of the homeless and the brokenness they share with all of us. Hopefully this film moves many to compassion toward the sufferings of others as well as our own. Highly recommend.
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10/10
Poignant
tigershell-4761127 February 2023
A powerful story that reverberates in the soul of the watcher. The support teams that created this experience did such an incredible job in transporting the viewer to the streets of Las Vegas. I don't easily end up emotionally invested in movies but this was not the case. I was on the edge mentally and emotionally the whole time.

I did not expect such an intense experience out of this movie and it was so refreshing to see a genuine experience that was completely and utterly transfixing. Bravo for a job well done to the actors and the support team. I look forward to seeing future creations from this team.
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9/10
Exceeded my expectations... 😎👍
michael-727-37292323 February 2023
Purchased this movie from Amazon, going in not knowing much about the movie, or what to expect. Captured my full attention right away, and kept it throughout. Myself living in Las Vegas for the past 20 years, really just added to every scene for me personally. Storyline, acting performances, and cinematography defiantly exceeded my expectations... and I can say without a doubt, I could easily sit down and watch this movie again, and I'm sure there would be nuances throughout I might have missed the first time. Overall, just a really well done film... Definately worth the price of admission... Thank you! 😎
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9/10
A satisfying journey for the viewer.
mettlesetdesigner26 February 2023
First of all, I have always been a sucker for this type of movie. I absolutely love a happy ending to a story about loss. Move Me No Mountain is funny, heartbreaking, thought provoking but most of all it's a satisfying journey for the viewer. The acting is just great. Cat Lellie is so believable. She had me laughing one minute and crying the next. And the way the filmmakers made the city of Las Vegas a character itself in this movie is wonderful. The DP really captured both the beauty and the heartache of the streets perfectly. I highly recommend taking the journey and watching this movie. You will not be disappointed.
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10/10
An unflinching, thoughtful, and touching look at grief
RBIves-202-72535228 February 2023
I don't know the background of this filmmaker, but this story feels so personal it hurts. A woman from Las Vegas elects to be homeless very early in this film and we accompany her as she explores another sort of lifestyle. She's desperate for connection, forgiveness, and peace; impossibilities unless she can first find it within herself.

The plot is thin, we more or less wander between situations, and yet this never feels boring. Each encounter is a lesson along a hard road. The cinematography feels like a documentary, and I have to believe this was shot gorilla style in and around the strip. It adds to the feeling of authenticity and grounds the story in a dirty, grimey locale that portrays the mashup of the have and have nots better than maybe any American city.

I've always heard stories about the homeless population in the tunnels beneath this city. We do get a taste of this, although I wish we could have explored this a bit further. Still, no complaints here. I highly recommend this one.
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10/10
A Woman's Heartfelt Journey
catheraneskillen1 March 2023
A tour-de-force performance from Cat Lillie, as Jenna, a woman who suffers a devastating loss and the journey she takes in dealing with it. The film is not rushed as we follow Jenna's descent. Beautifully shot with imagery of Las Vegas, not often seen. Especially worth noting are the performances of Layla Campbell, the child she meets, Staci Dickerson, Jenna's one-time associate, and Nicholas Roylance, a fellow wanderer. Writer, producer, director, cinematographer, editor, Deborah Richards (is there anything this woman can't do?) did an outstanding job on this film. Well done. Well worth a watch.
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10/10
Well done movie!
AJDeanFILMTALK5 March 2023
Deborah Richards ground breaking new feature film, "Move Me No Mountain" has a great cast and intriguing storyline. Written from the heart, Deborah addresses the crisis of homelessness that is such an important topic in our society. This blockbuster movie, filmed in Las Vegas has won numerous awards and is cinematically well done with incredible musical artists included in the soundtrack. "Move Me No Mountain" was featured at the Nevada Women's Film Festival in June 2022 and Deborah Richards won the Nevada Women Filmmaker of the Year. This 90 minute film is sure to entertain you so get your junior mints and popcorn popped! Bravo and Congratulations to Deborah Richards - Film Director!
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9/10
I liked it
MaisOuEtDoncOrNiCar15 September 2023
I liked it. Simple, honest and well made.

One of the film's strengths its in it visual. It capture the story's settings well.

While the movie offers a good watch experience, I found that plot twists Dan be predictables and the runtime could have been trimmed in some scenes for a more concise narrative. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise well-crafted film.

I liked it a lot. It's original, simple and well written.

I don't usually watch this style of movie but it is good and definitely interesting a lot better than some indie films out there.

Go support small film by watching them.
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