I’ve worked for a film commission, for a film society, and for a film festival, so I have seen my fair share of independent films. Typically indies fall into two categories: the undiscovered gems, and the oh-my-god-your-poor-family-mortgaged-their-house-for-this variety. Thankfully, Jason Momoa’s Road to Paloma falls into the first category with spectacular visuals, an emotional storyline, and subtle, realistic performances from the cast.
Now I know what some of you are thinking. “Yeah, you’re just saying that because you think Jason Momoa is the sexiest human being to ever walk the earth.” While I think he’s the hottest man of all time, I still have integrity when it comes to movie reviews, so no swoony, fangirl bullshit here.
Road to Paloma is the story of Robert Wolf (Momoa), a Native American who is on the run after taking justice into his own hands and slaying his mother’s rapist/killer. Wolf is a loner when we meet him, but eventually teams up with Cash (Robert Homer Mollohan) on a long journey that will end with spreading Wolf’s mother’s ashes. The two are hunted by FBI agents (Timothy V. Murphy and Chris Browning) who want to put Wolf away for his vigilante crime.
For me, the number one star of this film is the visuals. Every single frame of Brian Andrew Mendoza’s cinematography could be displayed in an art gallery. When you couple his talent with amazing scenery and gorgeous stars like Momoa, Lisa Bonet, and Sarah Shahi, you get a film that is an absolute feast for the eyes.
And Paloma isn’t slacking in plot either. Momoa gives us a layered character with deep personal demons, and an inherent warmth, despite his guarded heart. Scenes with Bonet, Shahi, and Michael Raymond-James are touching and revealing of Wolf’s true nature. He’s a good guy who got caught up in a bad situation—so much more than the growling badass Momoa is known for. Similarly, he and Mollohan play off each other very well in a friendship that seems authentic and real.
So yes, Momoa is outrageously beautiful, and yes, you might spend the first few minutes in total awe of Mendoza’s photography, but Road to Paloma is a genuinely impressive indie accomplishment that deserves to be seen. Pick it up on DVD and Blu-Ray today.