King of California: A crazed Indiana Jones

Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood) has had a tough time raising herself on her own. But when her father (Michael Douglas) comes to stay with her after spending several years in a mental hospital, her life is thrown into disarray.

Charlie is obsessed with finding a 17th century Spanish treasure. Miranda is torn. She likes seeing Charlie excited and having a purpose, yet at the same time she knows he is often delusional and always thoughtlessly self-centred.

Yet, thanks in part to her dad’s magnetic eccentricity, his unflinching optimism that there is indeed buried treasure nearby and her own sheer boredom, Miranda agrees to aid Charlie in his quest.

Armed with a metal detector and ancient journals, the two retrace the steps of Spanish explorer Father Juan Garces looking for the buried treasure. Ultimately, their quest proves to be more about discovering one another than finding the hidden treasure.

Perhaps the most touching element of the movie is Miranda’s rediscovery of her love for her father, no matter how flawed he may be.

Michael Douglas is brilliant and Evan Rachel matches him in every scene.

The screenplay and the sound design are very good, but the cinematography leaves you asking for more as you want the landscape to convey the treasure hunt. Writer and director Mike Cahill has put together a very sensitive film that works at many levels, but at heart, it is about the most caring love that only a father and daughter can share. Not to be missed.