Jesse Eisenberg as Josh, Dakota Fanning as Dena and Peter Sarsgaard as the enigmatic Harmon team in their little scheme to make a statement against environmental desecration. The story, which Reichardt has co-written with Jon Raymond, is set in Oregon. Josh works on a farm geared to organic produce, and both Dena and Harmon share similar views about the need to protect the environment. All three actors are excellent in their respective roles and an authentic rural atmosphere is created.

Dena is given the assignment to purchase fertilizer needed to make the required explosives. She approaches the task blandly but is suspect as a result of the quantity she must buy. Reichardt succeeds in making the conniving nerve-wracking, especially when the boat is inching up to the dam and the schemers must get away without being caught. The explosion comes off as technically planned, but there are unexpected casualties, and the result disturbs Dena. Can she be relied upon to keep the faith?

The situation is complicated by sexual tension in the mix, but the downward slide involves the need to make sure Dena doesn’t squeal as a result of her becoming upset. The situation also speaks to the makeshift quality of the alliance, not rooted to any organization but an independent enterprise that arouses suspicion among Josh’s co-workers.