Lost on Purpose

I loved everything about this movie. Coming from a small town myself, you feel nostalgic about the best parts of your growing up years while watching it. Even though this movie was about a California town, it really was about Anywhere, U.S.A. This is one of those movies that you need to watch a few times so you can really appreciate it to it's fullest. I've seen it twice now and I found more great things about it that I missed the first time I watched it. I can't wait to watch it again and again. I fall in love with new characters each time. Just when I thought I loved one more I found a new one to love. Excellent movie Nelms Brothers.

A beautifully photographed simple yet poignant slice of life story that captures the fight for the American Dream and the dustiness of the new American West. It's a story about survival, loss and determination. Jane Kaczmarek is spot-on with her portrayal of a third generation dairy farmer struggling to stay afloat. As the film progresses , through both story and cinematography, one identify with her struggle and even asking at times, "why doesn't she just sell the farm to the shady, Delbert Furgenson, played by C Thomas Howell. It was great to see Mr Howell in this film. In a lot of lower budget films the presences of a named actor sometimes takes away from story. But not in this film. Mr Howell does a great job portraying the shady land grabber. The hands hired to help Ms Liz are great as men trying to find themselves.

This film contains a lot of cinematic memoirs that I used to take for granted. This is why Lost on Purpose got me back on track and made me trust again in the contemporary cinema. The photography is one of the things I fell in love with. I kinda feel this film bring back memories to everyone. And there's a nostalgia around there that has to do with the Town as a main character. It reminds me of those films I used to watch with my dad on Sunday mornings. The music fits perfectly in every single scene. And the performances of the (I must say) very well selected cast are out of this world. It's the first film in years I believe in every character on screen. The script is amazing; hilarious and sad at the same time. It's actually very rare a film can make this happen successfully and Lost on Purpose can do that and even more.

I highly recommend this film to everyone out there (specially those who want to feel the magic of the contemporary cinema again). And those who can relate to a town that is very alive and reminds us of home.

I was immediately reminded of "The Last Picture Show" and "Hud" after seeing "Lost on Purpose." It's a drama that takes a truthful glimpse into our changing country and tells it without gimmicks and bull-crap, unlike "Promised Land" by Gus Van Sant. It is a soulful journey full of insight and integrity. Although the area of Central California this is set is not necessarily the prettiest in the state, the filmmakers find the beauty of the land and the pathos of its people. They don't make a lot of films like this any more...but thank goodness the Nelms brothers have. Not sure if the rest of the audience recognized J. Robert Spencer from Broadway's "Jersey Boys," but I sure did. He's a sensational stage talent and great here in a small role. Phenomenal music by All The Real Girls as well and a charming performance by the musician, Peter Donovan. He's like John Cougar Mellencamp in Chuck Taylor's. Kudos as well to great secondary performances from Michelle Lang and Michael Lawson, whom I immediately recognized from HBO's "Enlightened."

Of co-directors / co-writers Eshom & Ian Nelms' last four films only "Waffle Street" had a third co-writer... and was the only dud. The others were fine: "Fatman", "Small Town Crime" (great) & 2013's small-town ensemble drama "Lost On Purpose" that's set around Jane Kaczmarek's dairy farm & it's family of labourers inc James Lafferty (meh), Aaron Hill (good), Michael Lawson & Tom Fugedi - who have a year of ups, downs, beers, music, girls, fighting, camaraderie & rural fun. Support comes from the likes of C Thomas Howell, Dale Dickey & Octavia Spencer to round off a relaxing, nostalgic tale. Decent fare. The Nelms' only should always write their movies it seems.