Half-baked character development, bad editing.
The premise of this story could have been transformed into a really good screenplay - minus idiotic metaphysical theme and the Chordelia character.
If the movie had a point, it was poorly made. Too many disconnected scenes; stupid scenes without resolution, and finally and ending that sucked (you'll welcome it though, after suffering through the second half).
<<POTENTIAL SPOILER>>>
Martykel,
I have to strongly disagree with you. I don't believe in getting personal, so I'll keep my comments strictly to the film. It was an amazing visual and aural experience for me, with what I thought was excellent performances on the part of Kristofferson and McDermott. The complex plot was more a part of what Howard Mosher tries to do, in all of his works, to create a "period piece" that brings you back to that location and time. Using the mystical references and the somewhat hard to believe concept of a father/grandfather who just won't die, may be hard to absorb, for anyone who loves "Die Hard with a Vengence", but in the sense of a creative work of fiction, it's really just a method that the writer is using to bring you deeper into the experience.
I really loved this film, and I think that over time it will be recognized as a great film. I respect your opinion, but I feel strongly enough about the quality of this movie that I wanted to respond to your post. Maybe you're right and its an idiotis metapysical work of nonsense, but for me it was far from that, and I really love great film (and not so great movies).
Film is a cornerstone of any good life.
It was a movie about how the things we value in life disappear even tho we don't want them to. We have to let go and move on and have OUR own version of a life while retaining lessons learned.
The only thing that was confusing the first time was him taking his dad back and seeing his aunt disappear into the cellar. She was dead I suppose and telling him his dad was dead and she had to go on too.
But then the next scene had him repeating the same trip home. So not sure what to make of that.
But I still liked it.
Ninaskids
I have to say I agree with you. I've never read the book it was based on, but the idea of rum running during Prohibition deffinitely has the potential to be either humourous or a great drama. Unfortunately, this film was neither.
The plot was dull and generally confusing, the characters were fairly undeveloped, and, a bigger gripe for me, acted nothing like 'old time' Vermonters actually act (I happen to be from Vermont), and the cinematography and editing left something to be desired. In short, I didn't find any aspect of this film deserving of the hype it got...
It's pretty obvious people are getting used to action movies with no subtle undertones. You have to realize that people from this time and this area were very into ghosts, family history and those mysteries you find so difficult to pay attention to. It was a young man with 'the sight' who went on a dangerous mission (people actually did transport alcohol to get money that they needed badly). Get out of the actual progression of events and get more into the mood of the movie and the culture.
shareHey folks,
I am not attracted to spiritual stories in general, and I am afraid I pretty much agree with Martykel's analysis of this film. The actors were great, but the story was a complete loss for me.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile