14 recensioni
I just saw this movie and liked it, though it was a bit of a downer at times. It's hard watching someone who can't get their life together even though it means hard consequences will be enforced. Addiction is hard to watch. It was a touching story. Well written, realistic, heartwarming, sad, well executed. You'll go through a spectrum of emotions before the movie ends. Not giving it a 10 because it dragged in parts. Acting was great from everyone. I'm always amazed at the depth of range some child actors can bring to a performance. Being from Wisconsin I liked seeing my state represented. I've driven down lakeshore dr to admire the fancy houses and going to see a brewers game for the first time is an exciting experience. Worth seeing.
- WisconsinFilmFed
- 22 ago 2022
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Was fortunate enough to see "Small Town Wisconsin" at the Red Tock Film Festival in Cedar City, UT.
Absolutely loved it. All of the performances were spot on - not a weak moment in the film. Mueller's deft skills and talents are obvious throughout. Sullivan's performance echoes those of the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It's going to be interesting to see his future trajectory. Musical score develops beautifully and impressively - aligned with the mood and tone of script and performance. Nate Goodman's camera too, serves the story. All cinematic elements are in servitude to the collective mosaic. Not an ego in the bunch. Goes to show the power of the collective.
Absolutely loved it. All of the performances were spot on - not a weak moment in the film. Mueller's deft skills and talents are obvious throughout. Sullivan's performance echoes those of the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It's going to be interesting to see his future trajectory. Musical score develops beautifully and impressively - aligned with the mood and tone of script and performance. Nate Goodman's camera too, serves the story. All cinematic elements are in servitude to the collective mosaic. Not an ego in the bunch. Goes to show the power of the collective.
- Wewerehere11
- 8 nov 2020
- Permalink
It was my privilege to view this amazing film at the equally amazing Rising Sun International Film Festival held at Brick Hall, a classy venue in Garden Paradise Kitakyushu in November 2020. Everyone present absolutely loved the film and raved about it after the screening.Niels Mueller put together a wonderful cast and crew who gelled perfectly to create what could be called a masterpiece. The movie was perfectly paced and deeply touching. Its scenery and score match the story and script beautifully creating a truly wonderful film to watch on the big screen. Thank you to the creators of this film and the festival that screened it.
- horikawatv
- 17 dic 2020
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- May_Gaiman
- 30 mag 2022
- Permalink
I caught this at the Rising Sun International Film Festival in Kitakyushu this past November. It's an incredible film. The story isn't new, but how it's perfectly told is what gives Small Town its brilliance. Excellent writing, perfectly directed and topped off by amazing performances by the entire cast. The audience gave the film a standing ovation!
I was hoping for more with this movie but found it to be unbearably depressing. The piano score throughout was terrible, always pensive as if someone was in the last of their days on earth.
Spoiler: No one dies of cancer. All you really have is a drunk who is resigned to his addictive dead-end life, and the pity he inflicts onto all around him, including his kid, best friend, ex-wife, sister, hotel receptionist, and just about everyone he comes into contact with.
This is not to say that the movie had any issues with the writing or acting- Wayne is surrounded by friends that truly seem to care about him, a decent guy trying to do the best with what he has. All the actors do a great job with their characters- in fact, that might be part of the problem. They are so believable as to make the whole movie even more painful. I would happily watch anything else with this same cast.
Ugh- regret paying for this movie, regret watching this movie- next time I want to be this depressed, I'll watch 'The Days of Wine and Roses" again- at least that movie was scored beautifully.
Spoiler: No one dies of cancer. All you really have is a drunk who is resigned to his addictive dead-end life, and the pity he inflicts onto all around him, including his kid, best friend, ex-wife, sister, hotel receptionist, and just about everyone he comes into contact with.
This is not to say that the movie had any issues with the writing or acting- Wayne is surrounded by friends that truly seem to care about him, a decent guy trying to do the best with what he has. All the actors do a great job with their characters- in fact, that might be part of the problem. They are so believable as to make the whole movie even more painful. I would happily watch anything else with this same cast.
Ugh- regret paying for this movie, regret watching this movie- next time I want to be this depressed, I'll watch 'The Days of Wine and Roses" again- at least that movie was scored beautifully.
- mccurdy444
- 30 lug 2022
- Permalink
An honest movie that is extremely moving. Children split from one of their parents, bitter custody battles, depression from being torn away from your kid is a topic that not many movies touch on but is a major problem. If you add alcoholism to the equation things get gloomy and dark. Wont get into the story to avoid spoilers but I have mention Kristen Johnston and the love she shows to her broken brother. Her performance is phenomenal in its simplicity and authenticity and covers an important topic not covered much in that in these gloomy circumstances many times there is support and Kristen Johnston compassion goes right off the screen and into your heart. Cannot say more cause of spoilers but can say WATCH THIS MOVIE and there will be tears and hope as well.
- steve_commisso
- 13 giu 2022
- Permalink
You know how you feel when you finish the last page of a beloved book and you're so sad you have to part ways with the characters? That's how you'll feel as the credits roll for Small Town Wisconsin. This beautiful film invites you so personally into the fully relatable lives of each incredibly well-developed character you'll quickly feel you've known them your whole life. Maybe you have? And as you travel across Wisconsin you're emotions are along for the ride including carefully woven and marvelously executed (bravo/brava cast!) and nuanced humor to balance the raw poignancy of this tale. This is one that lingers with you for days until you can't help but re-watch. I'd love to see a sequel...
- Samanthajpms-32145
- 16 giu 2022
- Permalink
This is almost unwatchable. Dad loses custody of this kid because he's a drunken lout and, well, an idiot. The only mystery is why he didn't lose custody of his kid before now.
He's a drunk, irresponsible, and stupid, even if he is well - meaning. He drives drunk, sets his kitchen on fire and almost gets thrown in jail at this child custody hearing. And somehow, we're supposed to feel bad for him, and that somehow he'll redeem himself in the end.
I'm pretty tired of the "dad is a drunken jerk" movies, and this is yet another poor example of how Hollywood sees men.
It's not that there aren't men like this out there. There are far too many, but would it kill Hollywood to portray men, and dads, in a positive light.
He's a drunk, irresponsible, and stupid, even if he is well - meaning. He drives drunk, sets his kitchen on fire and almost gets thrown in jail at this child custody hearing. And somehow, we're supposed to feel bad for him, and that somehow he'll redeem himself in the end.
I'm pretty tired of the "dad is a drunken jerk" movies, and this is yet another poor example of how Hollywood sees men.
It's not that there aren't men like this out there. There are far too many, but would it kill Hollywood to portray men, and dads, in a positive light.
- firemanbob
- 14 ago 2023
- Permalink
Amazing job by director Niels Mueller! The film does homage to small mid-western cities and masterfully portrays real life family struggles. Fabulous film!
- ygsullivan
- 15 giu 2022
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- mimiybyazphil
- 3 ott 2023
- Permalink
Did that come from? This is comedy drama on socialrealismic realms, a road trip from small town wisconsin to the big city sitting by the ''ocean''-side, and milwaukee its called, as a last attempt or try to revive his own childrens memories, and showing his so ,soon to be taken away from him due to a divorce battle, the glory of hallelujah down the drain of the beerbottle.
This movie are one of the most manic depressive golden nugget of a gemstone riding down the gloryhole, to show his son the biggest games of all , namely a good old ball match. Its such a sad story with so many witty twists, the small cast of actors is just marvelous, the best of them all is the dads buddy chuck, he is doing oscar worthy stuff on the big white carpet.
So if you like socialrealism , alcoholis, custodians, adultry, wake up moments and a whole lot of love from a breezy mindset of a redneck mechanic and his family, watch ''smalltown wisconsin'', the best of its genre this fiscal year. A recommend from the grumpy old man.
This movie are one of the most manic depressive golden nugget of a gemstone riding down the gloryhole, to show his son the biggest games of all , namely a good old ball match. Its such a sad story with so many witty twists, the small cast of actors is just marvelous, the best of them all is the dads buddy chuck, he is doing oscar worthy stuff on the big white carpet.
So if you like socialrealism , alcoholis, custodians, adultry, wake up moments and a whole lot of love from a breezy mindset of a redneck mechanic and his family, watch ''smalltown wisconsin'', the best of its genre this fiscal year. A recommend from the grumpy old man.
A real setting, with real people, real dialogue, and real complex problems. No easy solutions in this one, either, because that's life! Kudos to filmmaker Niels Mueller and the entire cast and crew.
- davidcheck-95132
- 19 giu 2022
- Permalink