Albert Einstein is reputed to have said "Things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." That's what I look for in movie gems. This is one in my opinion. When trying to pinpoint why this movie was so good, I looked up the bio of the director/writer Michael Matzdorff and found the man to be one very well rounded and accomplished in movie making. Matzdorff has cinema credits for editing, directing, producing,writing, cinematography and acting, not to mention composing. He certainly has the wherewithal to make a movie and know what he wants to do a good job. This is an 'inde' low budget movie with great appeal. The script is simply smart.
The IMDb full storyline provides a pretty good idea of the setup. It is what Matzdorff makes of it that I is a tribute to his talent. No detail is wasted; it all has a purpose. It is easy to follow and has a definite path; it takes us on a journey we can all relate to. We can't tell where it will lead but it is a joy to go along. There were only two actors I was, and you may as well, be familiar with: Tony Shalhoub and Barry Corbin. They are fine accomplished actors and it shows; without them I certainly might have given the movie a pass. The main character, Joe Peterson played by Ross Partridge is an unpretentious, most ordinary yet talented writer and illustrator who is in a rut, but in the beautiful roughed north country of Wisconsin at Charismas time finds what he was missing in his life. The character development by the cast ensemble is nothing short of endearing by its casualness. There are some very funny moments that come when they are needed to keep you watching. One such instance when Tony Shalhoub bursts out laughing will make you laugh for certain but for reasons everyone could explain only by the saying 'you had to be there'. That's a sign of great writing and directing, considering you later find out the reason for Shaloub's hysteria was in fact a profoundly sad memory from his childhood. There is a romance story in the movie of course, it's a romantic comedy, but it is not the focus of the film; bonding and friendship in the midst of nature's solitude is how I'd summarize the movie.
It will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling as well a put you in a good mood. If at all possible, watch it early on a Saturday morning; it will set the mood for a wonderful week-end with the one(s) you most like to be with. Ladies, if your partner watches this with you when I suggest, perhaps over breakfast, he will be putty in your hands for the rest of the week-end. Needless to say, the mediocre ratings are to be ignored, as sometimes they need to. p.s. Normally I discover musical artist through movies, but here it was the other way around. TD Lind, a singer songwriter I like, wrote the score; that's how I discovered this movie. Given Matzdorff is himself a composer, to have picked Lind for the score says something about his talent.
The IMDb full storyline provides a pretty good idea of the setup. It is what Matzdorff makes of it that I is a tribute to his talent. No detail is wasted; it all has a purpose. It is easy to follow and has a definite path; it takes us on a journey we can all relate to. We can't tell where it will lead but it is a joy to go along. There were only two actors I was, and you may as well, be familiar with: Tony Shalhoub and Barry Corbin. They are fine accomplished actors and it shows; without them I certainly might have given the movie a pass. The main character, Joe Peterson played by Ross Partridge is an unpretentious, most ordinary yet talented writer and illustrator who is in a rut, but in the beautiful roughed north country of Wisconsin at Charismas time finds what he was missing in his life. The character development by the cast ensemble is nothing short of endearing by its casualness. There are some very funny moments that come when they are needed to keep you watching. One such instance when Tony Shalhoub bursts out laughing will make you laugh for certain but for reasons everyone could explain only by the saying 'you had to be there'. That's a sign of great writing and directing, considering you later find out the reason for Shaloub's hysteria was in fact a profoundly sad memory from his childhood. There is a romance story in the movie of course, it's a romantic comedy, but it is not the focus of the film; bonding and friendship in the midst of nature's solitude is how I'd summarize the movie.
It will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling as well a put you in a good mood. If at all possible, watch it early on a Saturday morning; it will set the mood for a wonderful week-end with the one(s) you most like to be with. Ladies, if your partner watches this with you when I suggest, perhaps over breakfast, he will be putty in your hands for the rest of the week-end. Needless to say, the mediocre ratings are to be ignored, as sometimes they need to. p.s. Normally I discover musical artist through movies, but here it was the other way around. TD Lind, a singer songwriter I like, wrote the score; that's how I discovered this movie. Given Matzdorff is himself a composer, to have picked Lind for the score says something about his talent.