Land Ho! (2014) - Aaron Katz & Martha Stevens

Mitch and Colin are two 60-something ex-brother-in-laws who live what could be described as a mundane existence at this point in their lives.  Both divorced, Mitch convinces Colin to take a road trip through Iceland in an effort to live a little and possibly reclaim some semblance of youthful exuberance.  Aaron Katz & Martha Stevens' Land Ho! is a charming story exploring friendship, aging, and loneliness.  Tonally, Land Ho! is very much a comedy, with Mitch's raunchier character providing the majority of the laughs.  Land Ho! works because of  fully realized characters and the performances by both of the lead actors.  Land Ho! is a very endearing film but I wish it would have been a little more pensive, opting instead to keep things on the surface in a subtle but at times lacking approach.  Mitch and Colin are very different men on the surface but they both struggle with the idea that their lives are essentially over, feeling worthless, like time has passed them by.  The film handles this in a very light way, making me never have as much empathy as I should have for these characters.    Land Ho takes full advantage of Iceland's stunning landscapes, juxtaposing them with the silliness of its characters in a way that just feels magical.  While Land Ho's gentle approach left me less invested than I expected, its charming characters and artistic design make it a solid film that captures the fear associated with aging. 

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