Earthwork (2011)

79% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
92% of users liked it
(184 ratings)

EARTHWORK is the true story of real-life crop artist Stan Herd (played by Oscar nominee and Spirit Award Winner for "Winter's Bone" John Hawkes, in his first starring role), told through a single episode of his life. In 1994, Stan traveled from Kansas to New York City and risked everything to create… More EARTHWORK is the true story of real-life crop artist Stan Herd (played by Oscar nominee and Spirit Award Winner for "Winter's Bone" John Hawkes, in his first starring role), told through a single episode of his life. In 1994, Stan traveled from Kansas to New York City and risked everything to create a massive environmental artwork on land owned by Donald Trump. The multi-acre piece was made from soil, rock, plants and vegetation near an underground railway tunnel. Stan recruited a number of homeless individuals living in the tunnel as his crew. Over the months it took to complete the earthwork, Stan dealt with the difficulties of bringing his unique, rural art form to an urban canvas and the many costs exacted upon his life. In an effort to show his unique perspective to a larger audience, Stan unexpectedly encountered the true meaning of his art and it's ultimate, lasting rewards. Shot almost entirely in rural Kansas (with a one-day shoot in New York City) on a minimal budget, EARTHWORK is Chris Ordal's feature film debut. Ordal, a University of Kansas alum, was taken by Stan Herd's dedication to his temporary art and found it the perfect story to tell through film, a permanent art form. "It was important to me that my first feature capture a story that needed to be told via the cinema. Stan Herd's art is temporary, eventually returning to the earth after it has lived its life. EARTHWORK is an attempt to share the beauty and truth that Stan creates with an audience through a medium that can last forever. Stan has to get people into a helicopter or a tall building in order for them to see his work, so getting his art on the big screen finally allows audiences to experience his art and discover his incredible story." The filmmakers were very determined to exemplify the spirit of Stan Herd throughout production, and thanks to an amazing and supportive crew, EARTHWORK was a production as "green" as the story it told. -- (C) Official Site

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Chris Ordal
Written By: Chris Ordal
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: Apr 29, 2011 Limited
Studio: Shadow Distribution

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The story has dramatic reversals, humor, suspense and plenty of colorful, eccentric characters.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
"Earthwork" takes an unexpected swerve but one that adds layers of meaning and emotion to a film that is as beautiful and wrenching as it is unassuming.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
Character actor John Hawkes, his rural demeanor tailor-made for hick pics, breaks through typecasting stereotypes in his nuanced portrayal of crop artist Stan Herd in Chris Ordal's ambitious Earthwork.
Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter
John Hawkes brings a laconic soulfulness to this ultra-low-key, only mildly involving tale of artistic pursuit.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Directed, written and produced by Chris Ordal, "Earthwork" is best left to TV.
Ian Buckwalter, NPR
Earthwork's narrative follows too-familiar templates, and its characters lack the careful detail of Herd's own art.
Alison Gang, San Diego Union-Tribune
While we're grateful for Ordal's introduction to this atypical artist, the film's focus on the sentimental side of the story is at the expense of showing us enough of his terrestrial achievements.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Hawkes is finally getting the great roles he has long deserved.
Dan Lybarger, MovieMaker Magazine
It's a rare film that makes viewers love a fellow who takes needless chances.
Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com
Ultimately, "Earthwork" poses an interesting question. Does the true value of art lie in its creation or the pleasure that others get while viewing it?
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, Ebert Presents At The Movies
This is a movie about work and about the satisfaction that a person can find in accomplishing something.
Brent Simon, Shared Darkness
Writer-director Chris Ordal does something a lot of young filmmakers either can't do, or consciously try to avoid -- tell a simple story, simply, and without overindulging in stylistic gimmicks or emotional manipulation.
Keith Cohen, Entertainment Spectrum
The movie's numerous strengths include the cinematography by Bruce Francis Cole, the editing of extraneous material to 93 seamlessly flowing minutes by Brad Roszell and an upbeat, soothing guitar-heavy instrumental score by musician David Goodrich.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
Hawkes' performance reflects the gentle unaffectedness of Ordal's writing and directing. Earthwork hasn't any big bombastic moments. Instead it worms its way into your good graces slowly and thoughtfully until you're hooked.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
Earthwork turns a potentially fascinating, infuriating story of failure into a dull, naïve civics lesson.
Pam Grady, Boxoffice Magazine
Ordal certainly picked the right moment of Herd's career to memorialize, because while the tale seems to follow a predictable path, it eventually veers off into a different direction.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
An unchallenging, simplistic drama that's grounded by John Hawkes' genuinely tender and charismatic performance.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Drama about the many challenges faced by an earthwork artist from Kansas as he takes on a project in New York City.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Challenging docudrama about a quixotic crop artist.
Marshall Fine, Hollywood & Fine
Slight and, I'm afraid, slightly forgettable..The film lives and breathes because of Hawkes, a lank actor with a craggy face, sad eyes and a winning, open smile.