Spitfire Grill: O Recomeço

Everyone has their opinion, and mine on this particular film, is that it's one of the best to have ever graced the screen of my TV.

I'm from typical small town America, and to quite a degree,Gilead depicts this sort of life. Clannish, and less than trusting, when it comes to new folks, but what impressed me as much as anything was the unbelievable authenticity of Alison Elliotts southern accent. I had to look her up on the net to see if she was from the south, or not. She's not, but I am, and being familiar with my own accent, I can tell you she did it perfectly.

I've watched it about six, or seven times, and will likely watch it that many more before Let it rest for a while.

If you like beautiful scenery, small town life, and folks who are just a little short of being odd, you'll love this movie.

For most of my life I've sort of stated that the well-received, sort of hyped Best-Picture type films (Fight Club, American Beauty, Godfather, English Patient, etc. etc. etc.) have been my favorite films.

But then I saw "The Spitfire Grill". Or rather, I saw a preview for it. And I somehow knew that this film would surpass all others in its beauty and simplicity.

The story is simple, the themes universal, the cinematography drop-dead gorgeous, and the music haunting. Allison Elliot and Ellen Burstyn are prime actors of their generations. If you ever want to watch a film about the mistakes we all inevitably can make, the relationships and friendships we all eventually have to form to heal us, and the power of forgiveness and helping others, and the transcendent, trans formative power of love and connecting to nature in a way that reminds of our unity, watch "The Spitfire Grill." I don't think I've ever cried more emotionally at the end of a movie, and not a hard sobbing, but more like a life-draining, emotionally cathartic cry. Absolutely unforgettable.

I watched this movie when I was 12, and it seriously screwed with my brain. I couldn't stop crying. Is it melodramatic? Yes. Is there anything happy or positive about it? Not really.

I know that people either love or hate this movie, but for me it's more multilayered than that. This movie taught me something about not making harsh judgments about people, and the desperate need people have for kindness. These lessons have been invaluable in my life.

The vibe almost borrows from To Kill a Mockingbird. You wish the poor girl in this movie could just find some peace, but she can't. So many broken people in this world can't find peace, and that's the point. To stop and ask yourself why...

Spitfire Grill does a wonderful job capturing the small town New England landscape. The setting for the movie is important as its characters. Both begin to blend from the start of the story. Alison Elliott is by far terrific. At times, Alison Elliott resembles a young Jodie Foster as she plays this innocent, yet troubled youngster as she tries to start fresh with a new life in a new town. At times, the story takes on a biblical tale of forgiveness and loving thy neighbor. A perfect movie about respect and acceptance, The Spitfire Grill takes on a life of its own as the story builds and builds with more secrets. A nice ending that brings everything together and answers all the questions. Alison Elliott is great.

Until recently, this film was unfamiliar to me. Uncertain about my expectations after watching the trailer, I resorted to reading the plot. Encouraged by what I discovered, I decided to give it a chance, and I'm genuinely pleased that I did!

While parts of this movie may seem dull and occasionally tedious, the overall viewing experience is mostly breathtaking. The film showcases stunning scenery that significantly contributes to its allure. This movie keeps you guessing as it pulls you in, and it introduces a subplot or two along the way.

The Spitfire Grill deserves more recognition than it has garnered; it falls just shy of reaching masterpiece status. In fact, with a bit more substance, it would undoubtedly be considered a hidden gem.