Soda Springs

(2012) Soda Springs DRAMA

Although, this film has a happy ending, I still have to give this film a respectable thumbs down, since the events regarding the crucial automobile accident contradicts what's revealed later. The overall experience plays like a made for TV movie or like a "Sunday Afternoon Special" focusing on actor, Jay Pickett (who also co-wrote the movie as well) plays Eden who's life comes tumbling down after being involved in an automobile accident that killed some people. Then the real movie starts once he's being let out early because of good behavior, and because of overcrowding. At first, viewers assumed that he's 100 percent guilty for that may not be the case. And as he's attempting to make things right, it is soon revealed that he also happens to have a son. Strictly by the book movie, which may not be bad had I not seen so much of this kind of movie theme before.

Soda Springs is a movie I will want to watch many times. I'm always a Tom Skerrit fan, but I saw many more nuances in his role in this film than ever before. Jay Pickett was only vaguely familiar to me, but I will definitely be looking for him in more films. Initially I wanted to see the movie to enjoy glimpses of familiar Idaho scenes, but the sincerity and increasing depth of the drama captivated my imagination and leaves me wanting to watch this movie again and again.

The theme I took from the movie was the work and patience required in rebuilding a life - work wasn't enough, patience alone wasn't enough - and everyone concerned had to contribute their own work and patience. How do you make work and patience and more work and patience exciting to an audience? It took a lot of skill and courage on the part of everyone who made this film! Through unexpected characters and careful pacing I sensed and then shared the frustration of the main character as he had to wrestle his life and reputation from the backbiters in his hometown.

The casting was well done and the locations were wonderful. I had expected to be pulled out of the story as I recognized familiar places, but instead that just added to the connection I felt with the characters. I still want my husband to watch Soda Springs so he can tell me if that pick-up Pickett drives is the same make as one we see around New Plymouth. It all felt so real to me that I can still feel the dust of the baseball diamond, squint into the bright sunlight and smell the inside of the feed store.

That feeling of connection is part of the reason Soda Springs lingers in my mind so long after watching it. It is also the reason I'm not at all surprised to hear of the awards this movie is attracting.

Soda Springs is the town that Jason Pickett hails from, but some people just aren't happy to see him return after a stretch in prison for vehicular homicide. That includes law enforcement and it includes the husband of his ex-wife who divorced him while he was in the joint.

But when this would be country singer whose career was sidelined by the tragedy comes into Victoria Pratt's store it's love at first sight. Turns out the ex-wife's husband was worrying unnecessarily.

Soda Springs has a nice story, but the film moves at such snail's pace you will get inpatient for the end. Not the best Hallmark romance out there though there is a nice country music score for the film.

Although the first 45 minutes of Soda Springs is rather slow and uninspiring lead actor Jay Pickett plays a handsome wild and reckless skirt chaser named Eden Jackson who ends up in prison for causing a senior couples death(s) while driving drunk. But hang in there for the latter half of the film because eventually Eden gets his ($)hit together and he returns home to his mother's farm where she welcomes him with open arms. Unfortunately the townspeople who are fully aware of Eden's reckless behavior are not very happy with his presence and he is treated as if he was the town pariah.

Most unhappy to see Jay Pickett back in town is the local owner of the car dealership named Larry (Michael Bowen) who has married Jay's ex-wife Pam (Miranda Frigon) and they have a son who they are raising.

There are secrets that come to light and if you hang in there for the last 30 minutes of the film it is worth waiting for. It was an unexpected ending and not what I expected at all. Jay Pickett's redemption is about to come full circle in Soda Springs.

I give the film a decent 6 out of 10 rating - the ending is worth hanging in there for.

Wonderful movie. Loved the Western scenery and the story of second chances and redemption. Marvelous casting was a treat against a sound track of genuine music. We thoroughly enjoyed Soda Springs. Not a lot of movies command a second or third watching, but this one does. The modern Western still conveys the timeless virtues of hard work and personal sacrifice for others. It feels human and real. Soda Springs unwinds a story without giving it all away upfront. It's the rare movie that successfully manages that unpredictability that makes you reconsider all that went before in a new light. Soda Springs lets the story unfold so that you care about the destination.

The cinematography and directing are first rate without being self- conscious or obtrusive.

Actors are uniformly excellent and included a couple of personal favorites, Tom Skerritt and Victoria Pratt. Skerritt commands the screen with quiet dialog. Victoria is both approachable and gorgeous in her denim clad small town persona. Star and co-screenwriter Jay Pickett plays the protagonist in a quiet, determined and ultimately winning fashion. Smaller roles feature effective newcomers like Hollis Welsh and established veterans including the perfect Patty McCormack.

The Western theme carries over in a soundtrack dosed with some great, fresh Alt Country with a touch of Western Swing. I knew none of the music going in but loved the music and its compliment to the mood and high, lonesome Idaho scenery. Steve Fulton, Mickey and the Motorcars, and Travis Ward & Hillfolk Noir are among those featured.

It's easy to see why this was an award winner in film festivals like Breckenridge, Sun Valley and Louisville. Soda Springs is engaging, personal and meaningful. It stuck with me far longer than many big dollar, big star productions. Soda Springs is highly recommended.