Gorgeous and grand, yet intimate and familiar, Our Towns takes us on a journey to 8 cities across America. Some of them are quintessential small towns that we feel like we already know, even if we’ve never been to one. But this documentary isn’t just rehashing idealized Americana tropes. No, it is something altogether poetic and finds new ways to tell the stories.
Husband and wife journalists James and Deborah Fallows started this a few years ago as a book called Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America. It necessarily was pared way down to fit into this tight 90 minute doc, but it doesn’t feel like anything is missing.
In their private propeller plane, the hop from place to place, interviewing cool, weird, interesting and good-natured residents of each town. They ask any and all questions with one exception: they do not discuss national politics. That was a smart move.
Filmmakers Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan filmed the Fallowses’ travels and you could argue that their cinematography is so breathtaking, so complete, that you could have made this doc without narration or a host. Their pictures tell a story.
That said, the Fallowses’ are professional writers and storytellers and, as I say, their take borders on poetry.
The story starts near James’ hometown of Redlands, CA in what is called the Inland Empire. From there we visit Sioux Falls, SD; Columbus, MS; Eastport, ME; Charleston, WV; and Bend, OR. And it’s not just about old men whittling on the front porch – there are substantive topics that are unique to each community.
Courtesy HBO
This country has become so mean in so many ways. To spend a little time with the people in Our Towns is to re-learn the goodness that is woven into our national fabric.
Our Towns is streaming on HBO and HBO Max.
3 ½ out of 4 Stars. Reviewed by Kyle Osborne
