Dixieland

When I watched this movie, I couldn't help but observe the romance in it. It's a very easy film to follow. Less crime, more drama. There's a quote that outlined: There comes a moment in your life when you have to decide whether you wanna sink or swim. This film is all about that.

It's very touching and beautiful. People who love crime love stories, would love this one too. Actress Riley Keough proved to be one the most talented actresses. She was brave to play her role of this silent and troubled character who had it very difficult. When it comes to the actor Chris Zylka, I can say that it was his first movie I watched. He played his role of this tough guy terrificuly. He knew about his character and I guess that's the reason he was so good at playing him. There's less action, more dialogues. One more thing I liked about this film was the message it carried. I highly recommend this film for mature audience.

The acting feels natural, they are all more or less believable in the parts they play so that's good.

The story isn't particularly original though and fairly predictable, although instead of going the Hollywood route and squeezing out every emotion of every event the movie stays in a natural and low-key.

If that's good or not is a matter of preference I suppose but in the end I didn't feel any emotional connection with any of the characters so that's where it fails IMO.

To further the feeling of realism in the movie they have the occasional interview segments with real Dixieland people talking about various things every 10 minutes or so, which I thought was an okay idea but they did it a little too often if you ask me.

This film tells the story of a man who is just released from jail in a small town. Though he promises to his mother that he will not mix with dubious peers and get into trouble with the law again, old habits die hard and things quickly spirals out of control.

That is what I think the story is about anyway. I find the plot very boring, and it is poorly told. What is the point of seemingly random interviews with people who are not related to the story such as the dancer with crooked teeth, and the very thin man with a tattoo on his abdomen? They do not form a part of the story, and I don't see why they are shown in the film. The plot is not engaging or thrilling either. I do not care about the characters, even though they are seemingly in mild danger. I find this film boring and less than engaging.

It was a low budget movie for sure but entertaining for what it's worth. I wish it didn't end like it did. Faith Hill was great of course. I hate when some reviewers bash other people's hard work and risk, but they themselves just play it safe all their life at a 9-5 and never take a risk or never subject themselves to creating anything because they are scared. Some people will relate to the movie and some won't, but that's just how it is. For what it's worth the sound track was pretty good (if you like hip hop). There were quite a few songs from a group called LOWC, and it's hard to believe it was made 20 years ago. http://www.lowcbigballin.com

This indie, set in Pearl, Mississippi, has solid acting and believable characters, but evoked in me quite a lot of sadness. It moves along at its own deliberate pace, relies too much on flowery flashbacks, but is strangely enhanced by cuts to brief interviews with real locals of the area, who tell some harrowing personal stories.

Chris Zylka is quite solid in the lead role of Kermit, just released from prison after serving a 2 year stint. There's nothing new to the plot element that he's trying to go straight, but will be quickly lured back into one last job to help his neighbor and new girlfriend Rachel pay her mother's medical bills.

Riley Keough is excellent in the role of Rachel, and Faith Hill is superb as Kermit's sexy and free spirit mother Arietta. In supporting roles, Brad Carter is quite believable as the lowlife Larry Pretty, who's seeking revenge against Kermit, and Steve Earle adds well to the mix as Kermit's Uncle Randy.

All in all, although this movie written and directed by Hank Bedord, who's making his feature debut here, takes some predictable paths early on but it does have some twists and turns as it progresses, which I didn't guess were coming. The film gives the viewer a look at many lost souls who are ensconced in a cycle of poverty, drugs, violence, and family loyalties, often leading to incarceration. However, if one doesn't mind the deliberate pacing or the grimness and sadness, it can be worth a watch.