The Yellow Handkerchief

The Yellow Handkerchief is an example of everything I love about independent film. It is a personal story that is in no hurry to reveal itself. Like a campfire tale or an after dinner conversation, everyone is comfortable and content and in no rush to get anywhere. The story has time to unwind easily, giving you little pieces of the puzzle as you go along. When you finally reach the end, the conclusion is satisfying and you feel richer for the experience.

The Yellow Handkerchief begins with Brett (William Hurt of Body Heat) being released from prison. Watching him exit you see clues revealing what kind of man he is. There is no one outside to meet him, so he boards a local bus and rides it to the end of the line. Once there he sits in a small southern diner, contemplating his next step and enjoying his first cold beer. As he watches people meander around outside his window, his demeanor is calm and languid. He has a purpose, but he is in no hurry. He is savoring his beer and enjoying the view. He has all the time in the world.

On the street is a teenage girl, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) and she is having a tiff with her boyfriend. She enters the diner to place an order of fries and inside is a strange, quirky young man (Eddie Redmayne of The Other Boleyn Girl) trying to buy disposable cameras with expired film. There is something off-putting about him, but he is friendly and gregarious. He is obviously attracted to Martine and he tries to start a conversation with her, but she is in no mood. She is really upset with her boyfriend and she keeps glancing at him outside. Gordy is dejected, but goes on about his business. Then in a sudden about-face, Martine asks Gordy for a ride. She is going to show her boyfriend, she is going to show everyone. She’s getting out of this town.

When Gordy and Martine reach the river and its ferry crossing they spot Brett and recognize him from the diner. Since he is on foot they offer to give him a ride so that he doesn’t have to pay extra for the boat. But as they are crossing a hurricane hits and the three of them must take shelter and ride it out. This is the beginning of an impromptu union and a road trip to New Orleans. On this journey, our unlikely travelers begin to size each other up as they navigate through a storm-damaged Louisiana. All public transportation has been suspended so Eddie offers to get Brett to the next big town. Martine is upset that no one is looking for her so she takes the trip as well.

I really loved this movie. William Hurt is at his nuanced best and like a good novel, when you reach the end of the story you don’t want to say good-bye. Kristen Stewart is excellent as a teenager looking for love. I totally avoid anything Twilight and I’m appalled by her lack of deportment at the award show podium, but as an actress she is phenomenal and in these small Indie films she truly shines. I didn’t recognize British import Eddie Redmayne but I’ll never make that mistake again. His performance had the deftness of a tightrope walker, balancing between creepy and strange, menacing and sympathetic. He really plays an odd duck but one you grow to appreciate in time. I left out one character and that is May played by Maria Bello (The Cooler). Like the others we learn about her a little bit at a time, but May’s story is told through flashbacks. As expected, Maria Bello is fantastic in the role and the chemistry between her and William Hurt is palatable.

In a time when the market is saturated with Oscar nominated films and most new releases are spring break spectaculars, it is nice to have a quiet little film to cleanse the palate. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride through Louisiana with such an interesting, multifaceted group. I had a hard time letting them go. In my imagination I will contemplate their stories and wonder what happens to them next. This is the sign of a good film. You really don’t want it to end.

Rating:First Run A lanquid tale with enduring charcaters