WILDLIKE Alaska Films Reviewed by: Harvey Karten for Shockya.  Databased on Rotten Tomatoes. Grade: B Director:  Frank Hall Green Written by: Frank Hall Green Cast: Ella Purnell, Bruce Greenwood, Brian Geraghty, Ann Dowd, Nolan Gerard Funk Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 8/31/15 Opens:  Sept. 25, 2015 Exploiting scenery striking enough to warrant promotion from the TravelAlaska.com, writer-director Frank Hall Green takes us on an unusual road trip, one which includes Mount Denali, America’s tallest peak.  “Wildlike” moves along at its casual pace with minimalist dialogue and little melodrama: in fact an encounter with an uninterested bear and a sighting of a horny uncle by the niece he is supposed to be nurturing provide the only visceral excitement in the drama.

Essentially a two-hander with a solid performance from eighteen-year-old Ella Purnell as Mackenzie, “Wildlike” provides ample material for an audience with an interest in teen runaways, though this time we are as far from Times Square culturally and geographically as is possible. When Mackenzie (Ella Purnell) is temporarily transferred by her cancer-ridden mother from Seattle to the girl’s uncle in Juneau (Brian Gerghty), she faces the prospect of statutory rape by the forty-something man who had recently broken up with his girlfriend.  Though Mackenzie did not resist, perhaps wondering how she might fare if she ran away, she eventually decides to bolt, all alone in the sticks of Alaska with only the money she steals from her uncle’s cookie jar. Sneaking into a motel room, she is confronted by Renee Bartlett (Bruce Greenwood) who plans to hike in Denali National Park.

Though the 50-something widower is not too pleased when the fourteen-year-old girl follows him around like a puppy, he takes the girl under his wing, determined to assist her particularly when he discovers the truth about her uncle. Bartlett is the kind of fellow you’d want to meet if you’re an underage girl, someone who even resists Mackenzie’s attempted seduction while the two share a tent.  The picture moves ahead as slowly as an icicle dripping from Mount Denali but is a find for an audience that does not require constant dialogue and melodramatic action.  Bruce Greenwood, an underutilized actor, communicates his every emotion with his facial expressions and Purnell, virtually in every frame, is developing stature she began building in the role of young Ruth in the scary film “Never Let Me Go.” Hillary Spera behind the lens brings out the natural beauty of our largest state with stunning 35mm photography, and a side role by Ann Dowd as an understanding stranger is just right. Unrated.  104 minutes.  © Harvey Karten, Member, New York Film Critics Online Story – B Acting – B Technical – B+ Overall – B