2007



February 10, 2008
Camera Cinema Club
USA
English
92 Minutes
Drama / Thriller
Jeff Nichols

I admired the slow, southern pace (much like GEORGE WASHINGTON or TULLY), but there isn't much there there. Three boys, named Boy, Kid, and Son, proving that they weren't exactly wanted, live in a poor town in Arkansas. The oldest is married, but estranged from his wife because of his gambling. The youngest is about to ask his girlfriend to marry him even though "I don't even have a car." The middle kid is more peaceful, lives in a van, and ocassionally gets the energy to coach some kids on a weed-infested basketball court.

They find out their father is dead, crash the funeral where the man's "new" family is, say a few choice words about the man who abandoned them for a bottle, and set about a chain of events that becomes Hatfield and McCoy in nature. The plot, such as it is, involves a public slight, threatening words, fighting, and revenge after revenge after revenge. Sort of ridiculous, even if you grew up with brothers and understand how they interact.

On the other hand, all the acting is first-rate, with no identifiable actors. The shots are beautiful, the town isn't ridiculed. No one is trying to get out of there. The oldest son says "I farm catfish--that's what I do" with no embarrassment.

I liked it while it was on, but it needs no further reflection whatsoever. I wouldn't have minded spending more time with these brothers. I didn't really need a story.

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