Movie Review: ‘The Valley’

Review by James Lindorf

Following a successful festival run, the award-winning drama The Valley will begin a one-week theatrical run in 10 markets, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington D.C. starting June 8th. The Valley is an emotional look at how secrets can destroy even the most idyllic families. The film follows Neal the successful CEO of a tech company in Silicon Valley as he unravels the mystery of his daughter Maya’s suicide and the secrets that pushed her to the breaking point.

The Valley was written, produced and directed by Saila Kariat in her feature film debut. The film stars Alyy Khan, Suchitra Pillai, Jake T. Austin, Barry Corbin, Christa B. Allen, Agneeta Thacker, Salma Khan and Hope Lauren.

I liked this movie, but I didn’t love it. I think it had all the elements to be a great film, but the script was too timid. Instead of showing us a father or daughter in a true spiral of despair, their stories are intercut and only go halfway. Kariat did a great job of highlighting the denial and guilt that are so common in the grief process. Everyone from Maya’s nanny to her college roommate and her parents wants to think her death is related to something or someone else and not on their perceived shortcomings as a part of her life.

The actors gave great performances worthy of their film festival accolades, but I was left slightly detached as the story did laps in the shallow end of the pool. However, Neal does briefly venture into deeper waters; and it was during his darkest moments when you don’t know what he is capable of that the film reached its apex. Suchitra Pillai as distraught mother Roopa gave a strong but simple performance. She wasn’t asked to do much, but she performed very well with what she was given. Agneeta Thacker as the sweet, naïve, and depressed Maya was the most endearing member of the cast, and I would have been happy if the focus was on her instead of those left behind. Kariat gave her a very realistic backstory that would be a lot for any one person to handle. Her life was consumed by the dangers of being a young woman on a college campus, feeling forced to keep a secret from her parents, and the stress to live up to a successful parent and older sibling.

No matter what I thought of it, this film brings up the critical and underserved topic of being able to recognize the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts. This movie will find its audience and will be loved by many, I just couldn’t go there with it, but I hope you can on June 8th.