One Road to Quartzsite

Directed by Ryan Maxey, One Road to Quartzsite follows an assortment of misfits and oddballs as they participate in an annual pilgrimage to Quartzsite, Arizona – where they catch up with old friends and participate in a variety of activities. First-time filmmaker Maxey delivers a slice-of-life documentary that’s just about as hit-and-miss as one could possibly envision, as the movie, which runs a brisk 89 minutes, has been suffused with a number of scenes and interludes that aren’t quite as compelling or intriguing as Maxey has obviously intended – although, by that same token, it’s clear that the picture’s impressively cinematic sensibilities go a long way towards sustaining the viewer’s interest through its less-than-enthralling stretches. There’s little doubt, then, that One Road to Quartzsite benefits substantially from its smattering of poignant, affecting sequences, including a woman’s heartbreaking memorial of her deceased daughter, and it goes without saying, as well, that the degree to which Maxey manages to flesh out his subjects and their off-kilter lives plays an integral role in cementing the film’s mild success – with the final result an erratic yet rewarding endeavor that effectively shines a spotlight on an almost alien way of life.

**1/2 out of ****