Come Morning

Underrated film, for sure.

The emotion that unravels during this flick is seriously dramatic. I think if you've ever spent any time either happening upon, or living in, a place like this, which is not exclusive to where this film takes place, but a backwoods way of life, this will hit you hard. The acting performances, though subtle, are very strong. I am surprised this hasn't had more accolades to be honest. Well done, definitely well directed and sensitive at the same time. Gotta love the sinister ways of small towns and freak tragedy combined into a well deserved high rating. I'm glad I watched it.

Sometimes a slow pace works for a movie, but usually not. This movie was very slow-paced and boring, hard to sit through, and it certainly didn't have an ending that payed off. Sometimes even when a movie's ending does "pay off," meaning it's satisfying or has an impressive twist, it still doesn't justify the wait. But in this case, the ending was just as flat as the rest of the movie, and very unsatisfying. I also am surprised that some reviewers praised the cinematography. I saw nothing special there. I certainly didn't come away thinking that this was worth an hour of my time.

Quality micro-budget feature with muted, measured direction, naturalistic performances and a serious intent. It's a film I respected far more than enjoyed as, ultimately, it suffered somewhat from little variation in its somber, one note, tone (picking up only slightly in the last few minutes). The unintentional effect (or, perhaps, it was very intentional) is it made the film slower than it needed to be and considerably less engaging. You tend to witness it occur, as opposed to be involved with it. I hope this flaw is corrected in Mr. Sim's future films (unless it really is an artistic choice - in which case I might not agree with it, but I'm not going to fault it). Still in all it was a relief to see the restrained performances, equally restrained direction, and have it all play out in a confidently realistic milieu.

Come Morning has a dark beauty about it. I didn't really think about it until after it was over and my wife called it a coming of age story, but that description is very appropriate. It is a dark coming of age story and by the time it's over you will feel for the adult that the little boy is to become. This is not a feel good movie. It will leave you shell shocked but satisfied. The cinematography and locations are beautiful and both do a wonderful job of capturing 1970's rural Arkansas and the mood of this film. The actors, particularly the young lead, do a superb job. There was not a bad performance in this small tight cast. The soundtrack is beautifully done and really supports the movie well, but without getting in the way. This movie is a must see!

SPOILER: When Papaw died, I cried. Seriously. I'm from Arkansas, lost my papaw not that long ago (not like in this film though) ... he was a hunter. I was a year old in 1973, grew up in the 1970s Arkansas... so this film hits a bit close to home for me.

One of the saddest films I've ever seen. It's a very somber dramatic thriller film from the start and remains that way throughout the movie - it's a tear jerker - fair warning if you decided to watch this one.

"It'll be alright come morning" papaw said to his grandson D before he passed on. It is an appropriate title for the film... and in one way everything was made alright, but in another way it was not because D will never forget this day and the events that unfolded over night into the morning light.

Well worth watching if you like extremely sad movies - if you don't then pass this film by because it might have tears in your eyes.

10/10