Get Low - movie opening in LA this weekend

hesouttamylifehesouttamylife Posts: 5,393
edited January 1970 in General Hoax Investigation
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/movies/index.ssf/2010/07/get_low_movie_review_funereal_comedy_is_a_quiet_low-key_charmer.html

Interesting storyline. And it's a Sony venture <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->

'Get Low' movie review: Funereal comedy is a quiet, low-key charmer
Published: Friday, July 30, 2010, 8:22 AM
Stephen Whitty/The Star-Ledger
Follow
Share this story
Story tools

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Sissy Spacek plays Mattie Darrow and Robert Duvall plays Felix Bush, a man hosting his own funeral, in the film "Get Low," which is based on a true story.
1

0

0
Share
Felix Bush knows what he wants at his funeral.
He would like a nice casket. Some flowers and music would be good, too. But mostly, he’d like some words said over him — not just preacher words, but stories told by folks who knew him and understood.
And he’s not willing to wait until he’s dead.
So the ornery old hermit — still toting his rifle — finally leaves his mountain cabin and comes down into town to hire himself an undertaker and schedule a service. And the long strange story of Felix Bush — gone, but not quite yet — is under way.
It’s an old story and a (sort of) true one — and “Get Low” turns it into a nice low-key entertainment.
Not a great movie, mind you. There’s nothing very surprising here, or even really dramatic — to be honest, occasionally the whole thing feels a little like a very special “Waltons” episode.
But director Aaron Schneider, who began his career as a cinematographer, films the story beautifully, with particularly subtle and lovely lighting. And the movie has a heck of a cast.
First off, of course, there’s Robert Duvall — nearly 80, and still clearly in love with his job. His Felix Bush is cantankerous, yes, and quick on the draw. But he’s also honest, polite and gravely conscious of his obligations as a man.
Movie Review

Get Low
(PG-13) Sony Pictures Classics (100 min.)

Directed by Aaron Schneider. With Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek. Now playing in New York.

Ratings note: The film contains violence and strong language.
Stephen Whitty's review: THREE STARS
What would old Mac of “Tender Mercies” have turned into, if he’d had no family to reconnect with? What would Sonny of “The Apostle” have become if he’d never found forgiveness? There are hints of both men in Felix — and in Duvall’s valedictory performance, the suggestion of an early, dark-horse Oscar favorite as well.
The old actor’s partnered nicely by Sissy Spacek (who has a small part but is aging beautifully and glows like a small, cozy tea light). And there’s also a droll turn by Bill Murray, who splashes some much-needed vinegar on things as the (formerly) big-city mortician in charge.
Admitted, at times “Get Low,” while supposedly based on a real story (the actual fellow was Feliz Breazeale of Kingston, Tenn., and he was written about in a 1938 issue of Life), never quite feels real itself.
There’s no hint of the Depression, for example. And Felix’s easy, uncomplicated friendship with a black man — they go to church together, and feel free to cuss each other out — seems more like a modern, wishful construct than a genuine sign of that time and place.
But the marvelously shot movie is definitely a Duvall movie, full of the clear-eyed respect for rural people and traditional values he has shown again and again. And it is also, in this summer season of Manolos and Marvel heroes, a gentle, welcome breath of fresh country air.
[youtube:1q1dyrbx]

Comments

  • so many movies remind me of Michael these days....have you watched Remember Me definately Michael inspired. <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->
Sign In or Register to comment.