Milwaukee, Minnesota

Rented this movie from blockbuster, hoping for something great. Being from Milwaukee and going to college in Minnesota, this seemed like a good idea. Wrong. Really cliché, with sub-par acting. Tried to make a lacking story artsy by adding a mentally challenged man and a whole lot of "color burn" filtering. The over-sugared, metallic tasting microwave caramel corn we made was better than this film. I'm no film expert, but as someone who feels she has a fairly intelligent head on her shoulders, I feel the following statement is legitimate: it was the worst movie I've seen since this morning's tape of Christmas, 1987. Negative 10 stars. I'd have voted that way, but sadly IMDb doesn't support the blatant soul crushing of filmmakers. Pity.

It's pretty hard to criticise a labour of love, and Milwaukee, Minnesota is no exception. The background to this film reveals the kind of indie aesthetic that infatuates people; there's no major money motive, a lot of hard work from a small cast, and on overall desire to create something stimulating. Indeed the attention to detail is a joy to watch; from meticulously planned shots (the director's commentary reveals stories of balancing cameras on piles of snow, filming reflections to look like insects and throwing talcum powder on actors) to cinematography changing as we enter the world of the protagonist about a quarter of the way in. As far as the story goes; it's a sensitive and honest portrayal of a sensitive and honest story. It's magical but believable, funny but dark and reminds you as any good indie should, that life is actually quite beautiful, tainted at the edges sure, dangerous sure, but ultimately there's things around you every day that are good enough without bombs, explosions and $100Million dollars in unmarked bills at stake.

Where to start ?

Maybe where the story of this movie ends, on a beautiful shot on the winter, above a frozen lake where Albert is going to fish.

All the people following him like as if he were a guide, where as he's following the sky to know where the fishes are...

The script was quite simple & could have been treated with all the lines of this kind of movie (the good, the bad) but Allan Mindel succeeded in shooting a movie that comes frm his heart & frm Troy Garity's heart. The characters all hve their strong personalities but they all love Albert like we all do now.

Arnaud frm the Jury Première that awarded Milwaukee, Minnesota as the best movie of the American Film Festival of Deauville 2003.

MILWAUKEE, MINNESOTA has everything you'd hope to find in an Indie film - good offbeat story, strong cast mixing established actors with new talent that brings out the best in both, a director who lets the story unfold naturally, enough messages to cast away any doubts that the world is lacking in spirit and caring, and an impressive list of contributors that demonstrates that there are many people who appreciate and love fine film. Writer Richard Murphy and Director Allan Mindel have shaped a tale about a mentally challenged young man and his inner strengths that allow him to make his mark on the world through sheer courage: they have succeeded in creating a memorable, touching, warmly human film.

Albert Burroughs (Troy Garity) is a twenty-something sweet lad, mentally challenged but able to maintain a job as a copy clerk for old man McNally (Bruce Dern) while he is closely overprotected by his mother Edna (Debra Monk). Troy's one pastime is ice fishing and because he is sensitive to the language of the fishes he has become the champion ice fisher of Wisconsin, earning prizes that amount to considerable savings! Worried that the outside world (outside of Milwaukee!) might be abusive to her son, Edna has prevented his entering contests in such places as neighboring Minnesota, places where Albert could truly become a star.

Quite suddenly Edna is killed in by a hit and run driver and Albert is left to his own devices for survival. News of his inheritance and contest winnings seeps into the world and characters begin to appear to take advantage of 'the retard': the smarmy Jerry (Randy Quaid) tries to convince Albert he is his real father; Tuey (Allison Folland) and her cancerphobic younger brother Stan (Hank Harris) are cheap con artists who try to steal his money; a transvestite (Holly Woodlawn) and her bodyguard Gary (Josh Brolin) wiggle into the stew created by Tuey and Stan and further go after Albert's money; and McNally posts his own agenda for 'care' of Albert and his 'fortune'. How each of these attempts to take advantage of Albert play out forms the line of the story, with an ending that finds Albert leading his life as an ice fisherman who is a champion in more ways than one.

Though obviously shot on a low budget this film succeeds on the important levels of communication and goes beyond the ordinary with some stunning photography by Bernd Heinl and a wonderful musical score by Michael Convertino and Robert Muzingo. Troy Garity (son of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden) holds his own in a role that could fall into parody and demonstrates that he is growing into a fine actor. And it helps to have the likes of Bruce Dern and Randy Quaid in the mix! This is the kind of film that is refreshing to see made. Would that Hollywood would invest in stories of this caliber! Recommended. Grady Harp

A mentally deficient man ,who has a knack for winning money at fish catching competitions, is left to fend for himself after his mother is run down and murdered. Fragile, innocent and alone he is targeted by crooks hell bent on taking some of his money.

A very well shot and acted film, I was surprised at how accomplished the main lead actor(Troy Garrity)was in portraying the character of Albert. The other actors played their parts well and the technical aspects were done well with the cinematography exceptionally good. However,at times the movie was very slow and caused me to lose my attention and become a bit dis-interested. Nevertheless a watchable effort that takes you away from the world outside for a while.