Runoff

"Runoff" illuminates how Big Ag is literally shifting the landscape. Starting with the soil, corporate monoliths are corrupting our American roots and bankrupting the small, family farmers who have fed our nation. If you're looking for light fare, come back and watch "Runoff" when you're in the mood to dig into what's deeply wrong with our system and the rot at its core...this movie is more heart of darkness. The acting is A+ across the board from lead Joanne Kelly, who I had never seen before to character actor Tom Bower who's been in everything from Crazy Heart to Die Hard 2. I love docs like Food Inc and movies like Erin Brockovich but if you're looking for something more challenging, you'll probably get a lot out of "Runoff."

I like slice of life films where not much happens, but this one is pretty weak. The acting unspectacular. The audio is bad, and they obviously couldn't afford a dialect coach. There is no real insight into any of the character's lives, and none of the characters are the least bit colorful. The portrayal of the local environment that usually makes this kind of movie interesting is almost nonexistent. There is no real drama. There is only occasional visual interest.

I wasn't planning on reviewing this movie, but after seeing all the ten star reviews I had to object. I wish IMDb could do something about this. I realize it's hard if not impossible to control this activity. Anyone can easily see what's going on. Still, it is annoying.

I wish a six month period of membership were required before someone could write a review, but this wouldn't be fair to IMDb or to impartial reviewers.

At least the reviewer should have to check off a box saying they are unbiased and have no affiliation with the movie's production or distribution.

This kind of activity is all over IMDb and detracts from a really great site. THESE REVIEWERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!

The critics got it right. The movie is at best mediocre.

Runoff will make you laugh, make you cry, re-examine your moral fiber and take you on a thrilling journey of how family values create deep introspection. This family faces everyday problems just as any family does and tries to solve each members problems with a positive outcome, even though it may be unrealistic. The warmth of tones and colors of the landscape plus the nature sounds of the film encompass you and take you to reside with the family in the countryside. You will engage and relate to the difficult choices and decisions this family must make to try and move forward with their lives. The director and cast make this well written drama a cinema must see.

I can't say that the film didn't actually surprise me with its pace. I can take slow though, but the meat of what the film was really about is what struck more. There's a unique sensibility that it has that sort of makes it stand apart from others of its ilk. Even then, the directing is really impressive and helps to underline what's underneath. The performances in the film are also impressive. I first saw Joanne Kelly in Don't Blink and was impressed by her, and again I'm struck by her natural screen presence. She comes off as someone who's been doing this kind of thing for a long career. I don't think the film is amazing or anything, or even all that great, but it's definitely worth a watch.

RUNOFF is a true movie-lover's movie. It takes us into a world that most of us know little about and explores it with a sophistication and class rarely seen in a debut film. The last half hour will have you on the edge of your seat. Joanne Kelly is a true star, her face brings you in like a silent movie star's would. It was so refreshing to see a movie that could have been so righteous dogmatic, instead allow its political charge to be simply experiential. It takes a tremendous amount of faith in the characters and the story to do that. Levin doesn't just present you this world, she puts you in surround sound of it. You truly feel as if you are there. Throughout the entire piece, her camera is enveloping you in the everyday beauty of this environment, and you will (like Betty) feel compelled to protect it with all you have.