Among the Willows

Among the Willows is another independent movie that has many very good moments and a few not so good ones. Overall the movie is entertaining and well made. The music matches the scenes very well and most of the acting is good to very good. The story is really nothing new, but it's still fun to watch unfold.

The story is told from three points of view. Mary Cronon, her grandfather John Williams and her kidnapper, Eli Kilpatrick. The three stories finally merge into a final reckoning but not before a hidden truth about Mary is revealed.

Overall the movie is well shot and acted, although I felt some were better than others. The real treasure is the supporting cast. The three henchmen, Tom, Spence and Hiram, were very good as was Miller and Everett. The saloon girls were adorable. Susie showed wonderful compassion in her relationship with Everett and Mae expertly goes from scared little girl to shotgun totting badass in a couple of heartbeats. Their chemistry together was very enjoyable to watch. Mr. Kilpatrick was excellent as the bully father figure and Emma's scene in a flashback is very emotional. It was fun to see Caryn Richman play such a different role and she nailed it. How could you not smile when she spits on the grave? As for the three main leads this is where it weakens... but just a little. Mary goes happy little girl at her 16th birthday to experiencing tremendously life altering events. Very strong acting chops are required for such a role and although the actress did well enough, her inexperience showed just a little. The first scene where we see Eli was well done but then as the movie goes on, he seems to become more one dimensional. He does redeem himself in the third act with some wonderful scenes with Mary where I could feel his pain. John, I felt was not really up to the standard that was being set around him. He does, although, have a couple of very good efforts in scenes with Miller. They seem to have good on screen chemistry, but overall it felt more like acting instead of investing in the role. The end scene with John and Everett, while was good, could and should have been better.

All that being said and done, I did find this an enjoyable and well made movie. Some up and coming talent mixed in with some seasoned actors is a good recipe. I hope it does well.

Okay so normally I'm not a huge western movie person but this one hit different. I genuinely enjoyed it because it was unique and not your typical Hollywood movie. It stood out. I think this movie made me appreciate the indie film industry more.

The actual movie had a storyline that wasn't too complicated to understand but complicated enough to keep me engaged. There were some good action-packed moments that left me on the edge of my seat, and when a major plot twist was revealed, I was left absolutely stunned. I was rendered speechless (and I never shut up so that's definitely saying something).

Set in the 1800s, when men were men and women were chattels - in this movie by Trinity Creative, anyway, where women are indiscriminately killed, kidnapped, menaced, abused, exploited, bought, shamed, and for speaking out, killed (again). To be fair, men are killed, menaced, abused, and shamed, also. But the closing scene brings us all home to the love of the Lord, if only one will admit his Sin and accept Jesus as his only Lord and Savior. I didn't watch this alone, or would have stopped watching after a ten-minute toe-dip. As it was, I struggled to detect any character development, the acting ran the gamut from A to B, and the primary storyline trudged doggedly to its end, smothering any secondary stories. The movie is brutish, IMO, meaning to slip onto the viewer stealthily, like a choke chain, then yank tight to compel submission and obedience. There is no indication in the film description that it drives the message of Christianity. In fact, visit the Trinity Creative Partnership website and there is no mention that it is a Christian organization. Okay, the word "Trinity" is a bit of a giveaway. But why cloak what it is you stand for, especially if you believe it's a good thing? The old "bait and switch," eh? Like the snake oil salesmen of the time period? The film was not produced for quality entertainment (witness all the 1-star reviews), and it is sure not a "family movie." It seems to be, unabashedly, a blunt object for luring in, battering, and converting sinners. In this film, even if they've been wicked all their lives, if they use their last gasping breaths to be Saved, they are assured a place in Heaven. What the H-E-double-toothpicks?!

From the TrinityCreativePartnership.com website: "For over 20 years, Trinity has managed the commercial release of thousands of titles across the world." "Every year, Trinity works with its clients to develop and distribute their new content, as well as provide them with the ability to exploit their large libraries of content and material." (Their site content; not my words.)

The most laughably poorly written, directed and acted movie you'll ever see.

I watched the whole thing because I was trapped in a 15 hour plane ride.

At one point a car drove across the picture in the background and it wasn't even edited out.

The acting is so over the top it makes you wonder if they even did auditions or if they just walked into a church and grabbed a few random people out of the pews. I say church, because one of the main characters goes out of his way to lead a dying friend in the sinners prayer. I laughed out loud.

I don't know which part is worse - the story line - acting - or directing.

If you want a good laugh at a comically poor movie, give it a watch. Otherwise save yourself the time.

I created an account here for the sole purpose of reviewing this movie.

I've never been much of a western movie fan, but this inspiring movie changed my mind. The story was believable and in the fashion of old Hollywood westerns. The action scenes were exciting and well done. The cinematography is beautiful and the music greatly enhanced the plot line (especially in the ending scene). The characters were convincing and their dialogue was well written. The violence was moderate and well-presented. However, the best part was the telling of a longtime friendship that had been lost and was restored. The ending is truly inspirational and very touching. I would highly recommend this movie.