Blue Ridge Fall

This film was certainly worth watching. There are intricacies in the plot which kept me shouting at the characters trying to help them make the right decisions. But these are 17 and 18 year old kids and they don't make the correct decisions even though they have the best of intentions. I taught high school for 25 years and trust me, I could see some of the students I taught make the same decisions. The actors, especially the kids, did a great job with their characters and their acting let me overlook any flaws in the movie. I could write a lot more but I don't want to reveal the plot before you watch the movie. Sorry, no spoilers from me. Oh, I really like the ending too.

Generally fairly good movie, although a few plot twists seemed contrived. The characters were well-rounded enough that I didn't mind that too much; I was interested in seeing what they would do and how they would develop as a result, so I was willing to overlook the implausibility factor here or there. I'd say it was worth it; the acting is solid and there's a lot of thoughtful interplay between the characters.

My only major objection was the ridiculous role of "Christianity" in the life of the abusive father character (Tom Arnold). Supposedly he's into the Bible and watches TV evangelists with his full attention, and uses what he thinks he's learned from this to justify mistreating his wife. Sorry, Hollywood; that's not insightful, it's just insulting. If you want to portray Christianity in a small town, why not show it across the lives of a representative proportion of the characters, letting the misunderstandings of the lone nutcase stand out against the rest? That would make for a more intelligent -- and believable -- script. (Of course, you might have to actually _understand_ Christianity for that to work. ;-)

Overall, I give it a 5. Won't change your life, but worth watching if you don't have anything better to do.

This movie has a great plot line and it is well written. James Rowe did a great job on creating a simple plot and such complex characters to develop one of my top favorite movies. Tom Arnolds is a great actor and this is one of his best roles ever. This movie can convey that feeling of someone who is over powered that then turns and becomes powerful. However, we see that the main character now has to face his punishment for his deed. The best part is the idea of true friendship and how these boys band together for one another. I was surprised at the length at which these boys were willing to go for one person. It is a must watch if you have friends.

There is a faint similarity between friends protecting friends films, "Blue Ridge Fall" and "A Simple Plan". While the former eventually peters out to mediocrity, the latter is "cult movie" material. "Blue Ridge Fall" starts out strong with one of the friends killing his abusive father, and the other three helping him to cover up the crime. Character development is good,and the small town Carolina atmosphere acceptable. Where the story begins to unravel is in the inept police work. No fingerprints or DNA are even hinted at being looked for. Instead the film churns on focusing on relationships and loyalty. The ending is especially weak, with justice far from served. - MERK

"Blue Ridge Fall" is a mediocre drama featuring some solid performances, particularly Irving, which tells of four small town buddies who through a series of bad decisions end up on the wrong side of the law. Lack of character depth and development and skirting one important issue, spousal abuse, to focus on the mechanics of the four guys' relationships, this flick manages to be something less than it might have been. As the film doggedly trudges through the story with an earthy sort of honesty it loses its sense of direction and purpose ending ambiguously. An okay watch which could have been better.