Soda Springs

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.

I originally ordered this movie just to see an old classmate (Jay Pickett) act - boy did I get a surprise! I also expected to be drawn into the familiar scenery of where we grew up, but instead was drawn into the storyline so far that I forgot to watch the scenery! The storyline of redemption is one that is done frequently, but those of us that grew up in small towns and on farms know that it works differently there. The story is well-told and well paced, with beautiful Idaho scenery in the background. It truly deserves and has earned all of the film awards that it has gotten - and many more! It is a wonderful family story, and I will be sure that my 12 yr old and 7 yr old watch it.

"Soda Springs" is a Western/Drama about a man looking for redemption and just wanting the chance to proof he can belong again. Right from the start of the film I knew I was in for something special, Eden was a character I immediately attached myself to and no matter what happened in the past I wanted the best for him going forward so I was engaged and set to see it through. Eden isn't the only character in the film that you take notice of right away, every character is well-written and realistic and when you combine that with a terrific story, beautiful landscapes and amazing music you got your self a gem and "Soda Springs" is just that, it's a dramatic triumph. The film tears at your emotions, from happy to sad the film draws you in and never lets up.

There's a lot going on in Eden's life after he returns but to talk too much about the details would only ruin the film for those waiting to see it. This is one of those stories that reminds us why we fell in love with cinema in the first place, sadly you don't get to see many films like "Soda Springs" anymore so when one does show up it's not only a surprise but a joy as well.

The entire cast did a terrific job, Jay Pickett is incredible was Eden and Tom Skerritt gives a powerful performance as his father in a limited role. I can go right through the cast but instead I will just say everyone is fantastic in their roles. If you like a good drama then I highly recommend picking up one of the best films I have seen so far this year, I am confident it will find a huge audience on DVD with strong word of mouth.

Do yourself a favor and make sure you pick this up, you are going to be glad you did. Let me finish by saying Director, Michael Feifer has a talent for telling a good story, my hat goes off to him and I look forward to seeing what he has coming out next.--Patrick Picketts--Videoviews.org

A man goes to jail for a fatal drunk driving accident. Years later, he discovers that he will be released in two hours with no money or prospects. He goes to his mother's house (in the same town as of the accident) and she doesn't recognize him for a second. Didn't she ever visit him?

Anyway, he is persona non grata due to the vehicular homicide and also because of his reputation as a womanizer. He runs into his ex wife and others who present some challenging situations. The cops try to hassle him and fists are thrown a couple of times throughout the film.

I just read a review saying this was a nice, clean film. LOL. So we have drunk driving/vehicular homicide, cheating/philandering, and physical fights but someone drew the line at the two or three "bad" words uttered in this film and decided to overdub them with "cleaner" words. I guess that makes it a clean, Hallmark-ish kind of film?

Anyway, the acting isn't bad, it's just a blah, slow film of a man in a very white town that is unnecessarily censored for "bad" language.

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.