Among the Willows

Among the Willows is another independent movie that has many very good moments and a few not so good ones. Overall the movie is entertaining and well made. The music matches the scenes very well and most of the acting is good to very good. The story is really nothing new, but it's still fun to watch unfold.

The story is told from three points of view. Mary Cronon, her grandfather John Williams and her kidnapper, Eli Kilpatrick. The three stories finally merge into a final reckoning but not before a hidden truth about Mary is revealed.

Overall the movie is well shot and acted, although I felt some were better than others. The real treasure is the supporting cast. The three henchmen, Tom, Spence and Hiram, were very good as was Miller and Everett. The saloon girls were adorable. Susie showed wonderful compassion in her relationship with Everett and Mae expertly goes from scared little girl to shotgun totting badass in a couple of heartbeats. Their chemistry together was very enjoyable to watch. Mr. Kilpatrick was excellent as the bully father figure and Emma's scene in a flashback is very emotional. It was fun to see Caryn Richman play such a different role and she nailed it. How could you not smile when she spits on the grave? As for the three main leads this is where it weakens... but just a little. Mary goes happy little girl at her 16th birthday to experiencing tremendously life altering events. Very strong acting chops are required for such a role and although the actress did well enough, her inexperience showed just a little. The first scene where we see Eli was well done but then as the movie goes on, he seems to become more one dimensional. He does redeem himself in the third act with some wonderful scenes with Mary where I could feel his pain. John, I felt was not really up to the standard that was being set around him. He does, although, have a couple of very good efforts in scenes with Miller. They seem to have good on screen chemistry, but overall it felt more like acting instead of investing in the role. The end scene with John and Everett, while was good, could and should have been better.

All that being said and done, I did find this an enjoyable and well made movie. Some up and coming talent mixed in with some seasoned actors is a good recipe. I hope it does well.

Interesting western genre independent movie. Very well made, very well acted. I have seen the last two movies from these guys, Lost Outlaw and Above Snakes, all at their respective premieres and this is by far the best of the three.

It has a good main story, but also has very interesting relationship sub plots. The relationships between Eli Kilpatrick (nicely played by Tyler Tuck) and his father (wonderfully played by Jim Tuck), between Mr. Kilpatrick and his grandson, between John Williams (David Novak) and Everett Stolls (Jeffrey Smith) and even the two saloon girls (Sparkle Soojian and. Akilah M.) are intertwined into the main plot.

Much of the cast has good to very good chemistry with each other but I felt Eli and his father, and Everett and Susie had the best parings. I could feel the tension leap off the screen when Eli and Mr. Kirkpatrick shared the screen. I also felt a true tenderness between Susie and Everett which was unique because there was an obvious age difference between the two actors. Nonetheless they pulled it off and made it believable.

The overall story is slightly predictable but it works in this situation. The music was on point especially at the end where a slight heartbeat can be heard during a touching scene.

It did have some (sometimes not so subtle) references to a higher deity but it's not shoved in your face and I didn't mind it.

Most of the acting was good but the standouts I've already mentioned. Overall it's was an enjoyable hour and a half spent watching a well made and acted independent movie.

The most laughably poorly written, directed and acted movie you'll ever see.

I watched the whole thing because I was trapped in a 15 hour plane ride.

At one point a car drove across the picture in the background and it wasn't even edited out.

The acting is so over the top it makes you wonder if they even did auditions or if they just walked into a church and grabbed a few random people out of the pews. I say church, because one of the main characters goes out of his way to lead a dying friend in the sinners prayer. I laughed out loud.

I don't know which part is worse - the story line - acting - or directing.

If you want a good laugh at a comically poor movie, give it a watch. Otherwise save yourself the time.

I created an account here for the sole purpose of reviewing this movie.

The positive reviews will trick you; they most likely got all of their friends and family to write them and give them high ratings! The worst script, director, and acting job you'll ever witness, to put it mildly. It's nearly impossible to watch this through to the conclusion, so I appreciate those who were able to!

Poor writing, editing, directing, and acting are all so horrible that you have to wonder if they ever went through auditions or if they just picked a few people at random. I suppose you should see it if you want a nice laugh at a ridiculously horrible movie because it was laughable the majority of the time. If not, spare yourself the trouble.

I don't get all the hating on this movie. Okay, it's not the greatest movie ever but it's no way as bad as some of these "reviewers" are saying.

I'll admit, the story is very recognizable. Two former friends having to reunite for the greater good, a son who only wants his fathers love and respect, and a reckoning of the two with good guys VS bad guys at the end. The story moves along at a decent pace, the acting has both good moments and some not so good but for the most part you don't notice anything bad enough to make you cringe. I enjoyed how the story built to the action scenes at the final reckoning, although I do wish the action scenes at the end were longer and I had no issues with the ending.

Overall I thought it was fine. It's not on par with a big budget blockbuster film but I guess you have to start somewhere. I did notice that the poor scores here all seem to have an issue with the ending, (not going to add any spoilers) and in my opinion, that may be the issue with the poor reviewers. Too bad you can't get you $3.99 back, lol. This movie is probably not one I'd rent again, but if I was channel surfing and came across it, I'd probable watch at least for a while. I thought, as a whole, it was enjoyable enough to leave a fair review, what more can you ask for?