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Rudderless

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Rudderless (2014)

October. 17,2014
|
7.4
|
R
| Drama Comedy Music
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A grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son's demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding some catharsis.

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Reviews

Alicia
2014/10/17

I love this movie so much

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FuzzyTagz
2014/10/18

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

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Lidia Draper
2014/10/19

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

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Fleur
2014/10/20

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

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Solnichka McPherson
2014/10/21

Accidentally watched this one day, having no idea what it was—but drawn in by the opening scenes which serve as an excellent hook for the audience. I once reviewed another film based on tragedy here, and this film is a whole different take on it. The music is good, yeah, but there's a human interest story here that more and more people need to know: What happens to the loved ones of those who cause tragedy? This film takes a crack at that necessary story, and we all can benefit from watching something like this. Tragedy leaves no person untouched, of course ... and in the quick rush to judge and blame, people forget there are no winners in situations like this. I feel like a better person for having watched this movie—and cared about its characters. A few thoughts on the acting: Selena Gomez is wasted here, as that character needed more development. Billy Crudup and Anton Yelchin do well carrying the picture overall, though. On to the music: It's good, and I'm not a music expert, even if I have written dozens of music articles in my years as a journalist. But the songs are engaging emotionally considering the film's content, and they sound good playing on a car stereo driving with the sunroof open on a coastal highway. What else is there to say?

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eddie_baggins
2014/10/22

While at times it threatens to become a little too lathered in cheese and schmaltz, William H. Macy's debut directional effort Rudderless gets by on a fairly unique idea and enough heart and humour to carry this tale of loss, grief, redemption and music through to a satisfactory and untraditional conclusion.Imbuing his film with the persona and comedic timing that has made him one of the industry's most well respected and most recognisable character actors, Macy shows himself to be quite the story telling craftsman here especially concerning Rudderless's narrative arc that at a mid-way point takes an unexpected and loaded turn that makes a somewhat fuzzy first half become a lot more tolerable in hindsight.Front and centre in this study of a man grieving the loss of his son in a college shooting is Billy Crudup and actor well known for sadly never reaching the potential he so clearly has within and it's safe to his turn as one time high roller now painter for hire Sam is one of his best, not only of recent times but in his career. Alongside both Watchmen and Big Fish, Rudderless will be an extra enjoyable experience for Crudup fans and he both convinces in his musical moments, his emotionally loaded moments and his comedic timing and it's great to see the actor take a role on and nail it.It's arguable the Crudup is the main reason to sink your teeth into Rudderless and it's a wise move that Macy chose to plant him in almost all of the films scenes as when he takes a back seat Rudderless's flaws are more glaring right down from some questionable leaps of story progressions through to unbelievable side players like Laurence Fishburne's kindly music story owner Del.Rudderless will be enjoyed more with the least amount of pre-knowledge possible and while it never hits a perfect note between drama and comedy, this is a Hallmark like movie that transcends its weaknesses and becomes a likable if forgettable music filled drama.3 ruined regatta's out of 5

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hamish-25851
2014/10/23

A perfect example of its type. This film achieves everything it sets out to do.It's important to point out that this is a small film. It's about relatively ordinary people living ordinary lives. Music scenes mostly happen in a tiny bar in front of a tiny audience, and that's fine, because that local intimacy is what drives the movie.Billy Crudup is front and center in almost every scene. Great singing, good acting, and nearly perfect as a man trapped in a father's worst nightmare. The key to his performance here is the empathy he creates with the audience: he is very far from a perfect, or even particularly likable human being, but you feel for the guy in every scene. No matter what he's doing - he pretty much is the neighbor from hell - his pain shows through.The supporting cast turn in solid work. Anton Yelchin pulls off something of a character transformation in the movie, albeit quietly. Felicity Huffman is calmly competent as ever, and Lawrence Fishburne is a welcome surprise, bringing with him a much needed leavening of humour.Macy's direction is utterly competent. Low-key yet assured, deceptively simple, it's movie storytelling at its best. Macy lets the story unfold in its own way and in its own time. This is a rare skill, to say the least: events never feel forced, scenes never seem to jump, and everything plays true. It's direction that the audience never notices, because it never puts a foot wrong.The surprise star here, though, is the writing. Macy, Casey Twenter, and Jeff Robinson are credited, and between them they manage to spin quite the tale. It might be small, it might be local, but it twists and turns right up until the last scene. Like the direction, the writing never puts a foot wrong.The music is fantastic. Definitely a film for music buffs. It's very much in the vein of Once and Begin Again, where the melody and rhythm carry the song. If it can sound great with a voice and a guitar, then it can sound even better with a band.Overall, a great little film for grown-ups, and thoroughly recommended.

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aparnakishen
2014/10/24

I just watched the movie and brimming with emotions, gave the movie an 8. Maybe as I re watch it, I might bring the rating to 7; as I said, this is a movie that could have been great but falls short of it. The title not only signifies the band but the position in which the lead character finds himself in. And if a movie is about reviving one's life with music and revolves around music, the makers need to deliver on that front. And they did !Rudderless has some soulful lyrics with music that doesn't overpower the vocals thus making it a good entertainer. Coupled with Billy Crudup's acting and a strong character based story, the movie delivers. Selena Gomez looked completely out of place thus proving how one can weaken a movie a tad even if they have a 2min role. Somewhere I believe they could have worked on Crudup's character a little more and bind the entire story more tightly..

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