Rudderless

Okay, so I rented this movie Friday night. The longer I watched it the more mad I was at myself for not buying it (which I did the next day). The movie,the acting,the music were wonderful. I am a big Billy Cruddup fan and his acting was a joy to watch. Lawrence Fishburn played the perfect role as well. Anton Yelchin did a great job with his character. I could go on about the whole cast. Bonus for getting to see and hear Ben Kweller. I immediately bought the soundtrack and played it two times through that night. This is my kind of movie. I've never seen a story told like this. William H. Macy should be proud of this film. I want to watch it again right now.

Was fortunate to see this at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. The story line was very original and fresh. Emotional as hell! Really shows a story from a different perspective with a bit of a twist. NO SPOILER I PROMISE! Anton Yelchin was amazing. HE SANG!I was not familiar with him (I know, I know)and I thought he must be a professional singer who was acting. Billy Crudup was also a huge talent that I was also unfamiliar with. His voice was amazing but his acting was off the charts. You could really feel his emotion and understand his thoughts. The rest of the cast was also stellar. I am chomping at the bit for the soundtrack to come out. I will be the first in line. Thank you William H. Macy for an amazing piece of work!

William Macy is an actor who's been in a ton of TV shows, movies and Broadway and if you don't recognize the name, I can pretty much guarantee you'll recognize his face. He's also a very well respected actor--the sort of guy who plays great supporting characters or the occasional leading man. However, I did not know that he could not only act but direct films as well as co-write them. This is exactly the case with "Rudderless"--an excellent new film that has just debuted on DVD.

When this film begins, a young college student dies. A couple years pass and the dead guy's family has fallen apart. The parents divorced, the father is now an alcoholic who lost his high-paying job and now is a house painter. It's obvious that the family was destroyed by the death. However, when the dad, Sam (Billy Crudup) happens to find some music his dead son wrote, he decides to carry on his son's memory by performing these songs himself. Soon, he finds himself with some new friends...and a band with guys half his age and with a cult following! But he's still a drunk and a screw- up...and there is still something else about his son you'll have to learn that makes the whole story a lot more confusing.

The best thing about this movie is that it's unusual and I can't say I've seen anything like it. I love seeing a film that doesn't remind me of other movies--and this originality is a huge plus. The acting also is quite good. Crudup is quite nice in the lead and it's a treat hearing him sing. But it's also nice to see him with a lot of excellent supporting actors as well. Aside from some very talented newcomers, you'll also see Macy himself, his wife (Felicity Huffman) , Laurence Fishburn as well as Selena Gomez. I know this is a strange combination of actors, but they are all quite good. Add to this some very nice music and you have the recipe for a film that's worth your while if you are the sort of person that appreciates independent films .

By the way, the film is rated R but to me this seems misleading. While there is some cursing, the film seemed no worse than most PG- 13 films and is appropriate for teens.

Saw Rudderless at a private screening in Chicago hosted by William H. Macy. What a powerful, moving and truly entertaining indie film! The performances by Billy Crudup and Felicity Huffman are fantastic. Billy Crudup is award-winning as a broken father who has lost his son tragically and then tries to relate to his son, to pick up the pieces... through music.

Selena Gomez, while only in a handful of scenes, displays a dark, intense maturity that we haven't seen from her performances to-date.

But the real star of this film is the original music. Fantastic pop rock, catchy tunes with telling lyrics that really make this movie special. The soundtrack is going to be as popular as the movie.

Coming to theaters in the U.S. on Oct 17, 2014! Go see it.

... and breathtaking. I had a pleasure of watching this movie tonight, including a director, William H. Macy's Q and A.

Writers and director did some great choices. Casting was perfect. Billy Crudup's performance is simply fantastic. Excellent music and lyrics. By far, the most emotional and moving film I saw this year.

Daring and dangerous, casualties all across the board and so well done in all aspects. Yet another proof that independent movies like this one bring out more feelings and passion than any blockbuster.

Everyone should see it!

Thought-provoking gem!