Small Town Wisconsin

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.

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...

Amazing job by director Niels Mueller! The film does homage to small mid-western cities and masterfully portrays real life family struggles. Fabulous film!

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.

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!