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

A Country Called Home follows Ellie, A West Coast furniture designer who gets a call that informs her that her father has just died, she heads back to her hometown in Texas to deal with his death, she reconnects with her roots in ways she did not expect.

This film is very touching and relatable. It deals with themes of family and forgiveness. Ellie has stayed a distance from her father throughout most of her life due to his troubles with alcoholism, despite this, she goes back to Texas and reconnects with her family. She finds that in a way, she has let her father back into her heart. Regardless that town has still a dislike and his girlfriend struggling with alcoholism herself and causing trouble, she defends and still loves her father and does everything in her power to give him a proper goodbye. She also finally meets her grandparents and makes a new friend there, by the end of the film she has gained a new perspective on her life and is ready to move forward.

To me, the message of the film is that we all can overcome the trials and tribulations we face in life, as long as we have love in our hearts and focus on what really matters. Its very much a feel good film that will leave you feeling less alone in life. It's a beautiful indie film, not only because of the story but also the cinematography captures the beauty of Texas.

Not just boring as Hell, but that twangy god awful music gave me a headache. But it did show country white people being trifling and dumber than a brick. Nothing new and I didn't need to waste 90 odd minutes watching stupid people doing stupid stuff an d talking like they have a mouth full of marbles.

I read someone's review about this being beautiful and moving forward, when it was the complete opposite with these backwards facing knuckle dragging Neanderthals with the combined Intelligence Quotient of an Eggplant, showing their undeniable ignorance and intolerance towards anyone not dumb and smelly like them.

This could have been a documentary on PWT from texass, because that is all I got out of this monstrosity.

Overly generous 3 out of 1,000.