Little Pink House ( Courtney Balaker, 2016): USA

Reviewed by Susan Cochran. Viewed at the Metro 4 Theaters, Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2017.

This story’s ending is already in the record books of the highest court in the land. In 2005 the Supreme Court of the United States of America heard the case of Kelo v. City of New London.  The vote was 5-4 in favor of the use of eminent domain to transfer land from one private owner to another private owner to further economic development. This created outrage across the US. At its center was Susette Kelo, a single woman who buys her little slice of heaven in the form of a fixer upper on the shore of the Thames River in the historic Fort Trumbull section of New London, Connecticut. Little Pink House is the story of Kelo’s struggle to save her home and neighborhood.

Writer and director Courtney Balaker jumped at the opportunity to make this film and portray what happened when the giant pharmaceutical company Pfizer worked with officials to build a new plant and boost the economy. Pfizer was doing quite well with a new little blue pill called Viagra and was looking to expand. Their plans would also include cleaning up a sewage plant located near the river. There was never any dispute that New London needed new business for economic growth but the issue was an established neighborhood would be destroyed. Under Balaker’s direction and editing by Soonji Chung, I feel that the movie moves well. There has been some criticism of some slow shots but the feeling of a home town comes through in those lingering river and local street shots. As in films like Erin Brockovich, the issues are revealed and we are shocked at how this can happen. But this film’s ending is quite different.

Oscar-nominated Actor Catherine Keener (Being John Malikovich and Capote) plays Susette with a pure intensity. There is no glam in this role as the camera follows her at work, renovating her house, entering a new relationship and the slow realization that the property she owns may not be hers. Keener’s performance gives us the impression that we know this woman; she could be your neighbor, your independent aunt, your friend, your nurse. She is an everyday person working hard to own that American dream. Close-up shots reveal a face that has lived – small wrinkles and lines that rest on her face as she rests in a garage sale chair in her backyard with a river view. Seasons, sunrises and sunsets are caught on camera and the river seems a metaphor that trouble is flowing her way.

The supporting cast gives strong and believable performances. Giacomo Baessato is solid as the Institute of Justice lawyer who takes the case all the way to the Supreme Court. Jeanne Tripplehorn plays the head of the real estate firm charged with making the land acquisitions go “smoothly” and her driven performance comes across well. Tripplehorn is known most recently for her acting on Criminal Minds and her range, including some comical moments, are on display. Callum Keith Rennie gives an understated and believable performance as Susette’s love interest. He is a very small anchor as all hope sinks. We are also treated to the rock legend David Crosby’s song Home Free which he wrote for the movie.

As horrifying as the scene of a house being bulldozed next to Susette’s house, during the closing credits we see actual photos of the devastation brought upon the Fort Trumbull neighborhood. This includes a photo of the real Susette Kelo standing on the vacant lot of her “taken” home and we learn onscreen that the new plant was never built. Such a visual loss of the little blue pill vs. the little pink house.

This film is important in this political climate. Not only because “the powers that be” have history and statements concerning the 2005 case but because of the pending Supreme Court nominee. Hold fast though that the cry of outrage across the US and on both sides of the political arena to the results of the Kelo v. City of New London resulted in 40 states changing their eminent domain laws for the better. This film urges us to be aware, on all issues, and be active. See it.

[Photo from IMDb]