Inspirational stories often make for a great movie, but sometimes, the story gets changed just a bit too much that it might lose the audience along the way. East of Wall, unfortunately feels like it may be one of those movies. While I’m not sure how much of the movie was adapted and changed from the true story, the overall film seems to be missing a draw, or something that could have taken it to another level.
East of Wall follows the story of Tabatha Zimiga and her daughter Porshia, who rescue and resell horses in the South Dakota Badlands. Being able to see the protentional in animals who have had a rough life, it mirrors the compassion Tabatha has for the down on their luck people within her community and the teens she lets live on her property as well. When a man with money comes in with a proposal that could change their lives, they have to decide if their way of life and selling horses on TikTok is worth it, or if they take a chance that could change everything.
Both Tabatha and Porshia portray themselves on screen, and while some of the acting is a bit rougher at times – for their big screen debut, both hold their own when it’s their scenes. But both exude the heart and compassion towards the horses and other characters within their story.
East of Wall is a story of true grit, resilience and the strength to believe in yourself. The film unfortunately probably doesn’t give the story the justice it deserves or enough interest to bring in a lot of audiences. While I do comment both Tabatha Zimiga and her daughter for portraying themselves on the screen, the story seems to have lost something in translating to the big screen. Maybe elements were lost on the cutting room floor or the creative licensing in the rewrites changed it too much. But the story seems to lack a pull or a reason to draw audiences in. Their fortitude should be enough to do that, but it doesn’t come across the screen like you would hope.
East of Wall is currently playing in select theaters.
Overall Rating
About East of Wall
An authentic portrait of female resilience in the “New West” inspired and played by the women and girls who live it. Set in the Badlands of South Dakota, Tabatha, a young, rebellious rancher, who rescues and resells horses, must make hard decisions to deal with her fractured family, financial uncertainty, and unresolved grief, all while providing refuge for a group of wayward neighborhood teens.