By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2 cats
Director: Laura Dunn
Country: united_states
Year: 2008
Running time: 88
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0912596/
Bruce says: “Laura Dunn’s intentions are well placed but the film she has made – THE UNFORESEEN – does not measure up. Dunn traces the history of development in suburban Austin, Texas – in particular a beautiful natural water area called Barton
Springs. The story begins over twenty years ago when a handsome, self-made developer named Gary Bradley wanted to create a new area called Circle C Ranch in which he planned to build ten thousand homes. The area where the development was planned was four thousand acres surrounding Barton Creek which feeds the springs.
“Barton Springs for decades has been a popular recreational area primarily for swimmers. Over eight hundred people signed up to speak at a public forum and demonstration for saving the cherished area. Bankrupt Bradley sold his interests to Freeport McMahon Properties, a world-wide conglomerate that owns the largest goldmine in Indonesia.
“The developers were accused of knowing ‘the cost of everything and the value of nothing.’ Others espouse the need ‘to live in harmony with the environment, not in opposition to it.’ In June of 1990 the project was denied. Delayed is a more accurate word. Corporations the size of Freeport McMahon don’t shrug off setbacks and walk away defeated. Bradley, because of his knowledge of the political terrain, was contracted to stay on with the project. As Governor, George Bush plays a role in the film as he was instrumental in getting Texas Senate bill 1704 passed, a bill that grandfathers developer purchases so only the developmental guidelines and rules at time of purchase are applicable. Therefore, any environmental or urban planning measures that have been passed – some 20 years worth – can be ignored. Consequently, Barton Springs cannot be saved from the pollution that is a natural byproduct of development.
“Telling the story are various locals and additional talking heads, one of whom is Robert Redford, identified on screen as an Environmentalist. All other talking heads are labeled by their professions, not their avocations. Redford gets the lion’s share of the screen time. And, oh is he boring. It is almost impossible to believe this man is in show business.
“Dunn presents the facts about Barton Springs dryly and information unfolds clumsily. The objections to the project are extraordinarily repetitious. Occasionally the film derails entirely. For example, near the end of the film a doctor talks about blood vessels as an analogy to the Barton Springs crisis amid other discussions of bone marrow and tumors which inhibit
growth. The problems of urban sprawl are identical throughout America. Dunn’s efforts should make one think in those terms, but the film does not succeed in presenting issues as universal ones.
“The soundtrack is good and it is a surprise to hear Sigur Rós. Their music is most compatible with the film’s more bucolic moments. 2 cats”