The Dry Land

Critics Consensus

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64%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 25

46%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 474
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Movie Info

A soldier comes home from the war but can't find peace in his heart and mind in this independent drama. James (Ryan O'Nan) returns to his hometown in Texas after serving a long hitch in Iraq, and is warmly welcomed by his wife, Sara (America Ferrera), and best friend, Michael (Jason Ritter). However, his homecoming party is awkward and it's clear James is not the same as he was before he left. Sara's father, David (Benito Martinez), arranges for James to get a job working beside Michael at a meat processing plant, but when an argument with a co-worker turn violent, James' life goes into a tailspin and Sara leaves him. James still hasn't come to terms with his experiences in Iraq, and a reunion with one of his Army buddies, Raymond (Wilmer Valderrama), convinces him he needs to make contact with Henry (Diego Klattenhoff), a fellow soldier who was part of an incident that scarred them both. The Dry Land was the first feature film from writer and director Ryan Piers Williams, and received its world premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
  • Rating:
    R (for pervasive language, sexual content and disturbing violent situations)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Ryan Piers Williams
  • Written By:
    Ryan Piers Williams
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $7,351
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Freestyle Releasing

Cast

Ryan O'Nan
as James
America Ferrera
as Sara
Melissa Leo
as Martha
Wilmer Valderrama
as Raymond
Jason Ritter
as Michael
Benito Martinez
as David
Diego Klattenhoff
as Henry
June Diane Raphael
as Susie
Ethan Suplee
as Jack
Ana Claudia Talancón
as Adriana
Barry Shabaka Henley
as Col. Stephen Evans
Starwind
as Clive
Kate Schroeder
as Kathy
Jeremiah Bitsui
as Luis
Candice Costello
as Veronica
Zion Sandoval
as Ian
Evan Jones
as Joe
David Smith
as Bill
Misty Upham
as Gloria the Receptionist
Destiny Alvarez
as Raymond's Daughter
Ybarra Reyes
as Raymond's Son
Fredrick Lopez
as Store Clerk
Therese Olson
as Sasha
Jenny Gabrielle
as Tina
Esodie Geiger
as Nurse
Russell Friedenberg
as Dr. Stephenson
Kiira Arai
as Cindy
Sasha Spielberg
as Sally the Checkout Girl
Ty Mitchell
as Teddy
Donovan Thomas
as Don
Arron Shiver
as Police Officer #1
Johnnie Hector
as Police Officer #2
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News & Interviews for The Dry Land

Critics Consensus: Dinner for Schmucks Serves Up An OK Time
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Critic Reviews for The Dry Land

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (9)

  • It's impossible to watch the film and not realize that war is folly.

    Jul 30, 2010 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    V.A. Musetto

    New York Post
    Top Critic

  • Williams draws upon countless earlier dramas without adding anything fresh or memorable to the discussion.

    Jul 30, 2010 | Rating: 1.5/5 | Full Review…

    Sheri Linden

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Well-intentioned, if unevenly executed.

    Jul 30, 2010 | Rating: 3/5

    Christopher Kelly

    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic

  • Sincere performances elevate an underdeveloped script and awkward filmmaking.

    Jul 30, 2010 | Rating: 3/5

    Jeannette Catsoulis

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Writer-director Ryan Piers Williams seems to be diligently working through a checklist of returning-warrior-movie clichés.

    Jul 29, 2010 | Rating: D+ | Full Review…

    Nathan Rabin

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • Just another cost-of-war movie, you say? Yes, and that's exactly the point.

    Jul 28, 2010 | Rating: B | Full Review…

    Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (25)

Audience Reviews for The Dry Land

  • Nov 15, 2010
    A powerful, if slightly overdone, look at the effect the gulf war can have on a returning veteran. This is relentless in its portrayal of a man whose war experiences prevent him from easily resuming his civilian life. America Ferrera is as beautiful as this viewer has seen her in the role of the wife who welcomes back the ticking time bomb that is her recently discharged husband, James (Ryan O'Nan). James fights his demons as best he knows how by drinking himself into a stupor and then lashing out at everyone around him. This felt real. It may not be based on any particular homecoming, but can certainly stand in for a lot of them. It is a message film and its message is important. If you are, or anyone you know is, having trouble re-integrating back into civilian life after seeing the horrors of war first hand, help is available. The returning hero needs to know that he does not have to face his demons alone. Not all PTSD cases end as well as this one did, but not all have to get to this point either.
    Mark A Super Reviewer
  • Dec 30, 2009
    Cast: Ryan O'Nan, America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama, Jason Ritter, Melissa Leo, Ethan Suplee, June Diane Raphael, Sasha Spielberg, Evan Jones, Ana Claudia Talancón, Benito Martinez, Barry Shabaka Henley, Diego Klattenhoff Director: Ryan Piers Williams Summary: Upon returning after his tour of duty, an American war vet (Ryan O'Nan) grapples with repressed memories from his experiences in Iraq and the everyday mundanities of his home life -- dealing with his isolation by embarking on a road trip with an Army buddy (Wilmer Valderrama). This intense drama, which also stars Jason Ritter and America Ferrera, takes a head-on approach to confronting the conflicted emotions of the modern warrior. My Thoughts: "It's an intense indie film about the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. This movie is sad. The things these soldiers go through is unimaginable to most of us. Ryan O'Nan was the star of this, and he was believable and honest as James. Great supporting cast as well. There are some really heavy scenes. The ending especially. It was pretty intense and you really didn't know which way it was going to end. Just a good film. Some probably won't like it, but I hope more see it."
    ♥˩ƳИИ & Super Reviewer
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