Runoff

I like slice of life films where not much happens, but this one is pretty weak. The acting unspectacular. The audio is bad, and they obviously couldn't afford a dialect coach. There is no real insight into any of the character's lives, and none of the characters are the least bit colorful. The portrayal of the local environment that usually makes this kind of movie interesting is almost nonexistent. There is no real drama. There is only occasional visual interest.

I wasn't planning on reviewing this movie, but after seeing all the ten star reviews I had to object. I wish IMDb could do something about this. I realize it's hard if not impossible to control this activity. Anyone can easily see what's going on. Still, it is annoying.

I wish a six month period of membership were required before someone could write a review, but this wouldn't be fair to IMDb or to impartial reviewers.

At least the reviewer should have to check off a box saying they are unbiased and have no affiliation with the movie's production or distribution.

This kind of activity is all over IMDb and detracts from a really great site. THESE REVIEWERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!

The critics got it right. The movie is at best mediocre.

Runoff will make you laugh, make you cry, re-examine your moral fiber and take you on a thrilling journey of how family values create deep introspection. This family faces everyday problems just as any family does and tries to solve each members problems with a positive outcome, even though it may be unrealistic. The warmth of tones and colors of the landscape plus the nature sounds of the film encompass you and take you to reside with the family in the countryside. You will engage and relate to the difficult choices and decisions this family must make to try and move forward with their lives. The director and cast make this well written drama a cinema must see.

Runoff is a fascinating new film by first time film director Kimberly Levin.

The film is about life in rural America, but unlike the usual simplistic, nostalgic and idealized portrayals which we often get when presented with stories of "life on the farm," Levin's film realistically tackles subjects confronting farmers in the here-and-now.

What is particularly interesting is that Levin poses the economic challenges of small farmers and small farm service industry workers as a series of moral choices many with devastating consequences, on people and on the environment. The actors are top-notch. The cinematography is personal and at times epic and lyrical. This was a wonderful film.

The lead actor, Joanne Kelly, "Betty," was especially great. Although full of outer beauty, she is no Hollywood actress "playing at" being a farmer. Joanne Kelly does all of her farm work like a pro, adding realism and dignity to her role. The same can be said for all of the other actors as well. All of them seem to truly inhabit their roles.

All in all, Runoff is a great film and should be seen widely by those who want to know more about the complexities of modern farm life, and for those who want to see a deeply affecting story about personal moral choices and their consequences.

"Runoff" illuminates how Big Ag is literally shifting the landscape. Starting with the soil, corporate monoliths are corrupting our American roots and bankrupting the small, family farmers who have fed our nation. If you're looking for light fare, come back and watch "Runoff" when you're in the mood to dig into what's deeply wrong with our system and the rot at its core...this movie is more heart of darkness. The acting is A+ across the board from lead Joanne Kelly, who I had never seen before to character actor Tom Bower who's been in everything from Crazy Heart to Die Hard 2. I love docs like Food Inc and movies like Erin Brockovich but if you're looking for something more challenging, you'll probably get a lot out of "Runoff."

I love movies, but my most frequent complaint is that they tend to wrap everything up so nicely in a 90-minute package that it's like eating artificially flavored candy. In most movies, the story is too strong, the flavors are too calculated. I don't think I've ever encountered a film like this that takes its time and trusts the viewer to come into the film. The story of RUNOFF is simple, a mother and father are at loggerheads over how to deal with the fact that they're about to lose their farm, and they start keeping secrets from each other (no spoiler). This was filmed in Kentucky, and the land is a beautiful character. Meditative shots of the water and land are there to give the audience time to think, in between the action. Watching this film is in some ways more like reading a book than seeing a typical film -- I hope this is a new way forward for cinema. Bravo.