Disclaimer: I’m a blind film critic. I’m unaware of this film having any available audio description.

I get these little films floating my way from time to time, and I know they don’t have audio description. Or, at least in this country. this is a film popping out of New Zealand which is a recounting of a real life tragedy, where a mine collapsed on its workers, and the surviving family members had to fight to get the corporation that owned the mine to do the right thing. Melanie Lynskey, who through her career has more than done enough to earn my immediate respect and attention for me to watch this film, is the star. She plays a woman whose husband was in the mine, and even after the hope fades of retrieving him alive, she never gives up in her fight to get her husband’s body out of the mine and be able to bury him.

One of the more shocking casting choices here is Lucy Lawless, who almost always is cast in something where she needs to be some version of a badass. Cena Warrior Princess is being given the latitude to bring a dramatic performance to the big screen, and I’m absolutely here for it. She can’t surpass Lynskey, but it is still nice to see her being given a chance to flex some range.

Yes, it comes as no surprise that Lynskey delivers another strong performance. I hope in her post-Yellowjackets world, she’s offered a chance to do a film that puts her in the Oscar race. She feels like this great indie character actress, but her work is so consistent, so strong, I’d love to see her get her flowers.

There’s some struggle in watching this without audio description, specifically a sequence where they watch camera footage. I have no context, so the scene doesn’t quite work the same for me as it does for others. There’s still a powerful story here, with enough gas to keep you engaged. I had no idea this incident happened, and I’m glad it was brought to film for everyone to enjoy and discuss. In the long term, it will get lost in a sea of like minded true stories, but it might not get so lost in New Zealand. Perhaps there, this film will be met with a far bigger and warmer welcome.

Pike River is a heartbreaking true story wrapped in a film that celebrates resilience, and committing to doing the best for the ones you love.

Fresh: 6.7/10