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The Unforeseen

Play trailer Poster for The Unforeseen 2008 1h 34m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Real estate developer Tom Bradley has a dream: to build a subdivision. But the realization of that dream in Austin, Texas, has results far beyond his own imagining. Bradley's enormous development becomes a rallying call for environmentalists, who fear it will taint the aquifer Barton Springs. Opposition to the project, in turn, is used by conservatives to muster support for the dismantling of environmental protections and, ultimately, the election of George W. Bush as governor.

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The Unforeseen

The Unforeseen

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Critics Consensus

A calm documentary that doesn't resort to shrill polemics, The Unforeseen also benefits from great interview subjects and jaw-dropping cinematography.

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Critics Reviews

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John Hartl Seattle Times 09/22/2020
A gorgeous, thoughtful film that is remarkably evenhanded in its treatment of the subject. Go to Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 09/22/2020
One can see the hand of coproducer Terrence Malick in this gorgeous, lyrical documentary about ecological destruction in Austin, Texas. Go to Full Review Josh Rosenblatt Austin Chronicle 10/18/2008
3/5
The result is an expansive and ambivalent testament to human ingenuity, human intransigence, and nature's endangered yet enduring power to move. Go to Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) 09/22/2020
4/5
Very thought-provoking and worth seeing. Go to Full Review Steve Erickson Gay City News 03/05/2018
While [director Laura] Dunn's style is closer to Terrence Malick than Paul Thomas Anderson, Bradley becomes a figure as tragic and memorable as the fictional Daniel Plainview in "There Will Be Blood." Go to Full Review Dorothy Woodend The Tyee (British Columbia) 08/22/2017
It's a beautiful film. . .Go and see it. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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11/06/2013 Important but slow-moving. See more 10/05/2012 It craves for all kinds of persuasion to appeal to the audience, but loses many of its logic and factual evidence underneath the pile of credible men, cinematography, and sentimental music See more 08/28/2011 In saying goodbye to Netflix disks, we chose an indie documentary set in Austin (how have I never heard of this movie before?) 20 minutes into I looked at Caleb and said I thought this was an environmental doc not a financial one, well it ended up being both. Really good thoughts (though the environmentalists were a little cocky at time) and now I know more about what the occasional Save Our Springs bumper sticker really means. I also learned the interesting fact that Robert Redford learned to swim in Barton Springs. The kid in Hutto was so cute and his innocence shined the truth behind the problem of urban sprawl. (we live in a subdivision that once was a farm but I justify it because Caleb walks to work!) One down part was there was no real call to action-what is their suggestion of where to live or how to interact with our natural surrounding. Everybody in Austin should watch this. See more 03/19/2011 Good documentary about land development in Austin. See more 02/28/2011 A beautiful combination of a plethora of stock footage, interviews, graphics, photography, and natural scenery time lapses form this documentary on the history of development in Austin. The metaphors woven together by well timed music, voice over, and images helps drive in the tone of the message about the impact development has on the environment. People from all walks of life and perspectives are represented in such a way that they become both informative and emotionally moving. This is a wonderful documentary for any Austinite and makes them muse over the multifaceted dilemma that is developers versus the environment. See more 11/25/2009 Such a great story about housing. See more Read all reviews
The Unforeseen

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Cast & Crew

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Laura Dunn

Director

Robert Redford

Self

Willie Nelson

Actor

Ann Richards

Actor

Laura Dunn

Producer

Terrence Malick

Executive Producer

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The Unforeseen

The Unforeseen (2007) A scene from the film "The Unforeseen." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Real estate developer Tom Bradley has a dream: to build a subdivision. But the realization of that dream in Austin, Texas, has results far beyond his own imagining. Bradley's enormous development becomes a rallying call for environmentalists, who fear it will taint the aquifer Barton Springs. Opposition to the project, in turn, is used by conservatives to muster support for the dismantling of environmental protections and, ultimately, the election of George W. Bush as governor.
Director
Laura Dunn
Producer
Laura Dunn
Production Co
Two Birds
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 29, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 29, 2016
Runtime
1h 34m