Capsule reviews for May 15

Echoes of War

A period drama in need of more courage to follow through on its convictions, this muddled Western about post-war domestic strife takes place following the Civil War, when a Confederate soldier (James Badge Dale) returns to the Texas ranch where his widowed brother-in-law (Ethan Embry) is raising his two kids. Then a feud with a neighboring rancher (William Forsythe) is reignited and destined for a violent resolution. There are intriguing ideas here, as rookie director Kane Senes explores familiar themes dealing with morality — from grudges to aggression to post-traumatic stress, but the film’s visuals and script fail to evoke the necessary sympathy, despite some committed performances. (Rated R, 104 minutes).

Every Secret Thing

This feature debut from acclaimed documentary director Amy Berg (West of Memphis) offers a muddled examination of topics ranging from bullying to the justice system to overprotective parenting. It follows the investigation by a detective (Elizabeth Banks) into the case of a missing child that focuses on Ronnie (Dakota Fanning) and Alice (Danielle MacDonald) — two teenagers who share a troubling connection from their past. The film generates moderate suspense as it navigates some rather mechanical plot twists. Yet as the script by Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said) transitions more into a procedural crime drama, the well-acted film becomes more about the issues than the characters. (Rated R, 92 minutes).

Slow West

While it sometimes struggles to shape its disparate parts into a cohesive whole, this low-key Western gradually builds suspense and offers a fresh twist on familiar themes. Of course, it always helps to have Michael Fassbender on board, playing an outlaw in the 18th century frontier who agrees, for a price, to help a teenager (Kodi Smit-McPhee) track down his girl, who happens to have a bounty on her head that draws plenty of attention. With its clever visual flourishes (including a bloody climactic shootout that packs a punch) and sharp dialogue that includes a bleak sense of humor, it rewards patience for its deliberate pace. (Rated R, 83 minutes).

Time Lapse

If only they had closed the blinds, three roommates could have saved themselves a lot of trouble in this mildly provocative low-budget thriller in which they stumble upon a time machine of sorts in a dead neighbor’s apartment. They discover that the machine is programmed to take a photo of their living room one day in advance, prompting them to take advantage of the situation before the scheme backfires amid paranoia and greed. The film’s refreshing approach confines itself to one location without special effects, yet its central gimmick runs out of steam pretty quickly, causing the story logic to crumble and the suspense to dwindle. (Rated R, 103 minutes).

Where Hope Grows

More admirable for its effort than its execution, this wholesome drama follows an ex-baseball player (Kristoffer Polaha) whose alcoholism has led to a downward spiral both personally and professionally. His spirit is given a boost, however, when he befriends a young supermarket produce clerk (David DeSanctis) with Down syndrome whose optimism is infectious despite being a social outcast. The earnest and predictable script by director Chris Dowling is given a boost by newcomer DeSanctis, an actor with Down syndrome whose performance is considerably more charming than cloying. Yet the film’s faith-based lessons of redemption and acceptance could use more subtlety, especially during the shamelessly manipulative ending. (Rated PG-13, 95 minutes).