A Country Called Home

It's really amazing that it took so many people to make such a lousy film. I gave it a one rating because the cinematography is actually pretty good.

At first the slice of life indie drama "A Country Called Home" seems to be trying too hard to be indelible. But I found as I let this small town tale of self-discovery and lives recalibrated gently play itself out I came to understand what Director and Co-Writer Anna Axster is doing with her gentle story. That is, to not try to impress you as much as impress upon you what the different definitions of family and the path to one's destiny can be. Axster's is simply one of any number of takes on this tale. And in the end it is a most caring and enlightening journey to which we have been treated.

This is the first time I've seen the work of the film's star Imogen Poots. The strikingly beautiful young actress exudes a unique screen presence. Poots brings a naturally relaxed manner to her role of the rudderless twentysomething Ellie, who leaves a spirit sinking existence in L.A. to pay her respects at the funeral of an estranged father she never really knew. While once again it took some time, I gradually settled in to appreciate her easygoing way with this character cast adrift in a world weary with disappointment. Suffice to say that here is a gifted performer now situated solidly on my radar.

Finally, major props to Axster and her magnificent depiction of small town Texas. I grew up in The Lone Star State, and have personally been to all three of the humble hamlets collectively serving as the sleepy, if not at least somewhat sad, setting for "A Country Called Home". I could almost literally smell the air thick with the distinct scents of ranch field brush and oak trees, all the while being cast back to the oppressive heat and humidity inherent in this extraordinarily ordinary part of our country.

And, pardner, y'all best understand that these are memories just as mighty and everlastin' as the sweet sweltering Texas summer itself.

A feel good indie film. I expected a complete drama, probably realistic and nothing more. It was slightly hopping around with different genres. Yeah, there were some fun, though how the tale had begun and how the rest of the narration shaped up was not so blendful. A young woman returns home after learning about her father's sudden death. It was the first visit after many years, especially since her mother's death. She also for the first time meets her grandparents. This trip is a different experience. The short stay extents, and then she meets Reno, a singer who stuck in the plac due to her mother. From there how the rest of the story unfolds is told decently.

It had characters, the great ones. The story too, but not all the scenes were so great. Particularly Reno made this film a bit cheerful. Usually indie films are one-off, but I thought they should make another one. Because feels there's more to add to it, like a road trip, followed by the rest of their lifeline in LA. Or maybe a prequel seems good too. If you like drama films, you would enjoy it. But not for everyone. Imogen was good, I liked somebody like her accepted the role. Then Mackenzie Davis and others too were good. Not many people had seen it, for that reason itself, it deserves to be watched. Forget the film critics, just try it and rate it.

7/10

If Mary McCormack wasn't in the film, I probably would have left it at the library sale. I actually enjoyed the performances by the entire cast. Imogen Poots played Ellie Edwards, a Los Angeles aspiring furniture designer, who gets the dreaded phone call about her estranged father in Texas. He died as she trying to get there. She meets her grandparents for the first time. June Squibb did a great job playing Grandma. Mary McCormack's performance as Amanda is quite credible and believable. Mackenzie Davis' performance as Reno is quite a surprise too. The film handled the friendship between Ellie and Reno with class and restraint. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles and in Texas. The memorial service is unforgettable. Ellie spends the film trying to connect with complete strangers. She also tries to deal with the painful loss of her father.

And then they wrote a script and made a movie. Hardly a single tolerable character. Surely it was written and directed by Saturday Night Live. Things are really slow in this flick. It's like living inside of a coma. In fact, one of the characters wakes up from her diabetic coma to go have a burger and fries at the Dairy Queen and finishes off with a blizzard. If you hate the south, you'll like this movie.