O Mestre da Vida

I have now seen this movie 5 times and I will bet that I will see it five more. This movie for me was a validation of a life time of conviction about the state of modern art and how it has consistently suppressed the simple idea that nature and beauty still do matter.

I have gone to art school and I have seen how modern art schools can be so destructive in the nurturing of classically minded artists. And at the end of the day we wonder where the hell is art going.

For me this movie rekindled my love and passion for painting and ultimately reminded me of all those wonderful teachers who selflessly gave and encouraged me not to stop my journey. There is so much in John Talia's character that I related to, and I am sure a great deal more to Armin's.

Every frame in the movie for me looked like it was composed by an artist, only later to find out that it was. Anyone who admires the art of the great American Pennsylvania and dutch movement, will take away so much from this movie. You can see the influence of Andrew Wyeth and the Brandywine school on the director.

George Gallo is as masterful a story teller as he is an artist. His attention to composition of every frame and his sincere dialogue and very real character development, make this a guy to watch. I can't wait until his next picture.

I was very moved by the entire experience.

This movie gets five stars and 2 thumbs up from me.

It has been a long time since I have seen a movie with as much integrity and honesty. As the writer so aptly states in the opening of the movie: this is a movie for romantics not critics.

When I hear someone trash a film or is angry about something the first question I ask is "what are they afraid of?". It IS easy to be cavalier and self serving. It is much more difficult to truly speak from the heart.

The characters are real...the performances excellent. The script is brilliant. There are so many gems...words of wisdom that it is hard to remember them all.

What I like most about this movie is that it is completely unapologetic. It takes courage to let it all hang out.

Perhaps if our culture was more in tune with nature and less about cynicism and ego we would all be better off.

I would highly recommend this movie to everyone.

Best film of the year in my opinion. I hope it gets wide distribution since it is being offered by a small independent producer with excellent credentials, George Gallo. Mr Gallo previously wrote "Wise Guys", "Midnight Run" and his best previous effort "29th Street". This is his best yet. Local Color is a sensitive film with outstanding art, color, and photography. Actor Armin Mueller-Stahl is especially good in his role. The premise of the film is that a young artist wants an "old master" to give him lessons and the old man is not a "touchy-feely" kind of teacher. Plot turns are unexpected and the ending is especially well done (many other options could have been used).

These days we have movies that hurl us into outer space, throw us into life threatening situations laden with violence and hysteria, or filled with so many amazing special effects that one cannot tell what is real and what is not. George Gallo's newest film, LOCAL COLOR offers none of the above. Not that I don't love the Wachowski Brothers or enjoy peaking into the twisted, creative mind of Quentin Tarantino. I do. But for countless reasons having to do with the state of the world today, I think that most of us long for this kind of "entertainment". The kind that serves to connect us to our humanity and give us hope. I love this movie. The acting is stellar, the story is compelling and inspiring. The cinematography is nothing short of spectacular. I was able to see the world through a true artists eye. It made me understand the level of passion and tenaciousness it takes to reach that level. Some might say that the film is too sentimental, others might say it is self-indulgent or egocentric, but I disagree. I feel that the tale was told with hat in hand that it will serve to inspire anyone who is open to the message it delivers. It is a movie about achievement attained by following one's passion, not by selling ones soul.

I saw a rough cut of this film a while back and was deeply moved by its simple beauty and meditative pace.

The performances have so much depth and take the diverse characters to a level that must have moved even the writer/director and producers.

It is also surprisingly funny, well not surprisingly, but when you read terms like "deeply moved" or "meditatve pace" you might *surprisingly* find yourself laughing out loud...a lot...

This is a feel good movie without being forced to feel good...it is an unfolding story with the heart and soul of the writer/director, producers, crew and cast made available to us, the audience, to take, relate and in our own way, give back...