Like a horse to tasty water, The Gentlemen's Guide To Midnite Cinema once again introduced me to a great film I otherwise wouldn't have seen. This time it's 2007's Shotgun Stories, starring Michael Shannon (who was nominated for a best supporting actor Academy Award for Revolutionary Road) and a perfectly cast roster of virtually unknown actors. Shotgun Stories is about three sons (aptly named Son, Kid & Boy) whose father walks out on them as children, only to quit drinking, find God, remarry and father another four sons who he actually cared for (and named). Son, Boy & Kid were left to be raised in poverty by their bitter mother. Years later when the father dies, Son & company show up at the funeral. Son expresses his feelings about his dead biological father, to the dismay of his four grieving half brothers. This action is the catalyst that sets the story of warring families into motion. The setting of this film is almost as important as the plot. Shotgun Stories takes place in a poverty stricken small town in Arkansas, which conveys that feeling of hopelessness that can often hang over a small town. This wouldn't have been the same movie if it was set anywhere but the South.
"The plot points that make up Shotgun Stories could take place anywhere, but if it were made in a different place the result would be a totally different film. Southeast Arkansas is a slow burn kind of place. The people move at a steady pace against a backdrop of vast farmland...This is not a film that could be made anywhere else..." - Director Jeff Nichols on the importance of shooting in Arkansas. Nichols does an amazing job of capturing the essence of the Arkansas "slow burn" on film.
Another piece of the puzzle that makes Shotgun Stories such a great watch is Michael Shannon's performance. I'm not familiar with much of his work but after seeing this, I need to be. Shannon plays Son Hayes quietly. Even as Son delivers his speech at his estranged father's funeral, he never raises his voice. Shannon's portrayal of Son comes off as endearing and at times equally as intimidating, like a Southern Clint Eastwood. Not to short sell the rest of the cast, everyone does a great job.
If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. If you have seen it, check out GGtMC's take on Shotgun Stories HERE. Also, if you see the movie poster above for sale somewhere, let me know. Or surprise me for my birthday!
3 comments:
I too am quite grateful to the Gentlemen for introducing this film. It's a great example of how story, setting, and character are all you need. No effects, no pop culture references...it's a film that could take place at any time, with such a great universal theme.
Also, Michael Shannon corners the market on quietly brewing male performances. His work in Bug is also incredible.
Side note: my Netflix DVD skipped the funeral scene, or at least Son's speech. That was just dandy.
Shotgun Stories played a few times on some cable channel around the time GGTMC did their review. I was unfortunately too bust to watch it, but I saw a tiny bit of it and can see what you mean about the location fitting the film.
Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with the movie sooner rather than later.
I really enjoyed it. It is a "slow burn" but it was never dull or boring.
The focus of the story is, obviously, the sons, I just wish we could have gotten a little more insight on the mothers. I found the second wife fascinating even though she was only briefly shown.
Post a Comment