Last week, I managed to make it to the late showing of "Get Low" at the Ross before it made its departure. Not that it is going to be the best movie of the year, but by all standards it was a perfect film. Aaron Schneider, cinematographer turned director, creates a world that is brittle but has plenty of back bone to hold it up. Set in the 1930s in Roane County, Tennessee, the film follows a hermit, who lives outside of town in the middle of the woods. Felix Bush (Robert Duvall), the hermit, has rumors of his past life engulfing the townsfolk minds. Felix has reached a point in his life where death becomes a main thought point. He worries about his legacy and whether he will be judged in the end by what his life truly consisted of. In a last attempt to make amends with himself and those around him, he plans his own funeral in which he will be in life form present.
The film builds on Duvall's acting. I see many movies each year, and I keep up with the Oscar Buzz. I like to think that I generally have a pretty good grasp on what films and actors are deserving of a nomination. Duvall certainly should be considered. Not to take away from the cast of supporting actors, including Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, and Lucas Black, but Duvall's performance is intoxicating. He is the man that by all standards you should despise, but there is something more there that allows you to root for his success. Duvall allows for us to go on this ride with him as he unveils character development while the film presses along.
As Schneider has a strong background in cinematography, the film is beautifully constructed. Each and every camera shot is meticulously thought out. The camera moves around the scenes in a effortless waltz. Schneider understands his environment, and places that understanding onto his audience to enter into the world of Felix Bush and Roane County. The lighting always seems perfect as it tries to encapsulate the mood, and flow of each scene. We are watching a true artist at work. I expect that this will not be Schneider's last major film.
It cannot be unnoticed how beautiful the set design is for this film. The design captures in its essence a 1930s town, and in particular the back country areas of Tennessee. In addition to the set, the music is just right. Immediately when the film began, I took note of just how appropriately conducted the score really is. The music was written by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, who won the academy award for best original score for the film "Finding Neverland" in 2005. He might end up with another nomination for this film if Sony pushes a hard enough campaign for the film.
In the end, "Get Low" won't be my favorite film of the year, but from a technical standpoint, it is as close to perfect as anything I have seen over the last several years. I was unable to be very critical, as it is an interesting tale that very uniquely engages its audience into believing in what is being told. At the same time filling my eyes with tears and leaving me feeling very heartfelt toward the story's characters.
"Get Low" will be playing at East Park Theater starting Friday.
4 1/2 out 5 Stars
On the Oscar Buzz front, Paramount Pictures just released the trailer for the David O. Russell film, "The Fighter," Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams. From the looks of the trailer and buzz, "The Fighter" seems to be an almost shoe in Oscar Nomination. I am not a big fan of Wahlberg, whereas I think he is hit or miss. I don't think he is all that great of an actor, but certain roles lend to his greater talents. This looks to be one of those roles. I think that he will likely be in the talk for an Oscar Nomination come February, but I don't really see him being able to win one. I do however think that Christian Bale is a fine actor in most anything that he is a part of. He has become the master at losing and gaining weight for his roles. From the looks of it, he lost a lot of weight for this film and looks as though he puts on quite a performance. I expect his name to be in the Oscar talks maybe more so than Wahlberg. As for Amy Adams, it is hard to gauge just how good she really is. It might not be quite the right role for an Oscar nod. In a year that is expected to heavy on the female front, I don't see her getting noticed. However I have heard that Melissa Leo, although a much smaller part, is absolutely magnificent, so she might get an Oscar Nomination when all the dust has settled. I hope that this film can stand up to the great sports pictures that have come out of the years. I really thought "Cinderella Man" (2005), was a very underrated film, and it looks like "The Fighter" is very similar. I guess it just remains to be seen if it can be ever the more effective in telling an inspiring story.
Check out the trailer here
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