Lost on Purpose

I like movies where you feel like you're walking along with the cast.

Just as the English can do fabulous period movies, the Americans can do equally as well when they pick out small town USA and tell us about the characters and the culture. When they do this AND somehow add fantastic music to the mix then no one does it better. This movie has everything; well structured plot, superb acting and a building of empathy for every role. Even the most minor appearances manage to squeeze out every ounce of emotion, the sheriff in particular is a great performance. Aaron Hill has a young "Jon Voight" quality about him which has me believing that he will be a major star before too long.

The bar scenes are again something that only Americans can do and they take you right in as a customer in this movie. Heck I almost ordered a beer! Poignant, loving, neighbourly; all the qualities you see in rural towns are gracefully exploited in this movie, subtly set against the usual pressures of change and race tensions. This is a first class product and I highly recommend that you go see it.

LOST ON PURPOSE is a wonderful film! You would never know that it had a low budget because the production values are so high. It is beautifully written and directed, has gorgeous cinematography and is perfectly cast. The storyline is captivating, the music is lovely and the acting is truly superb. It is funny and moving and even heartbreaking at times. The boys all share a wonderful dynamic and you can see that they had fun working together, it really shines through in the film.

A great job by everyone involved - I am so in love with this film that I am about to watch it for the second time today! Do yourself a favor and watch this movie, it has something for everyone and you won't be disappointed. I really enjoyed it!

I loved everything about this movie. Coming from a small town myself, you feel nostalgic about the best parts of your growing up years while watching it. Even though this movie was about a California town, it really was about Anywhere, U.S.A. This is one of those movies that you need to watch a few times so you can really appreciate it to it's fullest. I've seen it twice now and I found more great things about it that I missed the first time I watched it. I can't wait to watch it again and again. I fall in love with new characters each time. Just when I thought I loved one more I found a new one to love. Excellent movie Nelms Brothers.

I was immediately reminded of "The Last Picture Show" and "Hud" after seeing "Lost on Purpose." It's a drama that takes a truthful glimpse into our changing country and tells it without gimmicks and bull-crap, unlike "Promised Land" by Gus Van Sant. It is a soulful journey full of insight and integrity. Although the area of Central California this is set is not necessarily the prettiest in the state, the filmmakers find the beauty of the land and the pathos of its people. They don't make a lot of films like this any more...but thank goodness the Nelms brothers have. Not sure if the rest of the audience recognized J. Robert Spencer from Broadway's "Jersey Boys," but I sure did. He's a sensational stage talent and great here in a small role. Phenomenal music by All The Real Girls as well and a charming performance by the musician, Peter Donovan. He's like John Cougar Mellencamp in Chuck Taylor's. Kudos as well to great secondary performances from Michelle Lang and Michael Lawson, whom I immediately recognized from HBO's "Enlightened."

Of co-directors / co-writers Eshom & Ian Nelms' last four films only "Waffle Street" had a third co-writer... and was the only dud. The others were fine: "Fatman", "Small Town Crime" (great) & 2013's small-town ensemble drama "Lost On Purpose" that's set around Jane Kaczmarek's dairy farm & it's family of labourers inc James Lafferty (meh), Aaron Hill (good), Michael Lawson & Tom Fugedi - who have a year of ups, downs, beers, music, girls, fighting, camaraderie & rural fun. Support comes from the likes of C Thomas Howell, Dale Dickey & Octavia Spencer to round off a relaxing, nostalgic tale. Decent fare. The Nelms' only should always write their movies it seems.