La musique du bonheur

This is a film rich in good intentions, but they are so Hallmark-cleansed that much of the real tension is gone. The right people and pieces are there in the right order -- right down to the third cow in the barn -- but what was missing was truth, honesty. It is a suitable "feel good" picture if it doesn't take too much to make you feel good.

Another thing: "Sandy Bottom Orchestra" suffers from is what almost all pictures suffer from these days: the sound FX and music are mixed way in front of the voice tracks. That might work for "Terminator" (and I'm not sure it does), but good grief, "Sandy Bottom" is a narration and dialogue picture! Why is the VOX mixed so far back, and therefore hard to discriminate?

One more thing... I find great irony that a touchy-feely picture about a small town in Minnesota (tightly knit and very American, you know) was shot in Canada.

On the other hand, the DP should be congratulated on great lighting, especially for the exterior shots. "Magic time" was used a lot and very well. It gave most of the exteriors a very lush look without reverting to oversaturation during the timing and transfer process. Good job!

I rented the movie and fell in love with it so of course i had to buy the DVD. Everyone gives a amazing performance and it's jut really a cute sweet movie. You don't see movies like this come around often so when they do you absolutely have to take advantage of them. What more can i say about this movie it's well written and well acted. A complete gem in my opinion. Recommended for the people who love a great movie! ~!

This movie is a loving look at small town life through the eyes of an offbeat family and their love of classical music. Glenne Headly stars as the musically trained mom stuck in a small town she feels is shallow and parochial, but is reminded of the special place she has in it all the same [yes, the movie is Hallmark flavored sweetness, but it still has truth and honesty to it]. Her husband, a music loving dairy worker, decides to have a classical concert at the next annual dairy festival. Their teenage daughter (a talented musician) is having growing pains of her own -- she's the film narrator, and it's primary voice (we also see some things through the mother's point of view). An interesting subplot involves the mother's role as church choirmaster, and the struggles of the minister. This subplot in particular has some bite, and helps the movie not to be just written off as trite fluff.

An enjoyable movie that honors family, music, small town life, religion, and independence. A small film of a certain kind, predictable in its way, but not so easily written off as standard fare. We need more movies like this... how often do such themes get full length treatment?

Not expecting much, I was very surprised by how thoroughly I enjoyed this movie. It moved me so much I think I am writing my first movie review. Perhaps I should confess that I'm an amateur violist living in a small town with a loving family with daughters, so I identified with the situation in this movie. I felt it had an honest, though idealized, feel to it. Admittedly the story was fairly predictable but the acting was superb. The idea of focusing on talented musicians (mother, daughter) trying to fit into a small town isn't a common movie context. The tension between wanting friends yet needing to be yourself leads to risky decisions. Very worthwhile.

I agree with all of the positive comments above. Our church in fact will be showing this movie in our Fall Movie Nights.

A great family and coming of age film. The scenery is beautiful, the acting very natural, the plot realistic, and the underlying theme is beautiful. It is a treasure of a movie for it's return to a simpler, more wholesome town that is reminiscent of Lake Wobegon - Garrison Keillor's mystical Minnesota town. I especially think it teaches the value of forgiveness, staying to your principles, and hope / faith.

I think all churches should review this film for showing to preteens as a lesson of being yourself and not getting caught up in the pressure to confirm to any popular lifestyle.