Watch Sweet Virginia on DIRECTV. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. even if the sequence doesnt climax with a release of the tension. For me this is a common problem. Sweet Virginia can't find itself on the cinematic map, John Ivison: Whether the Liberals winked at Chinas helpful election meddling is the lingering question, Trudeau was regularly briefed on foreign interference in elections, national security adviser says, Michael Higgins: 'A lot of reason to be afraid,' says censured teacher critical of the woke revolution in classrooms, Three arrested after activists deface mammoth at Royal B.C. While nothing special plot-wise, theres a ton of potential on display, as every shot is meticulously constructed, the dreary lighting sucking us into this story of lonely, soon to be dead hearts. Hold on to that and dont act too crazy. Rated R "Sweet Virginia" premiered in the Spotlight Narrative section of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The writing is naunced ,with little windows being left for each character ,to ask why? Bernthal is one of those character actors that deserves these central roles, he tends to be relegated to supporting roles which is okay but not great. The series was set in Wyoming even before Wyoming became a state in 1890. Nothing worse than that ott ,,feel this now ,,base obviousness. Plot [ edit] With a svelte running time of about 90 minutes, this movie hits the sweet spot. And some scenes that should've been done in a quick 30 seconds or one minute tops took 2 or 3 minutes long. And the women who hire them. The tension builds up until the very end delivering an ending that could be considered anticlimactic, but I was a big fan. Elwood, who was injured in the struggle with Bernadette, tries sneaking out the next morning but is stopped by Sam who merely wants to say goodbye. And yet, going deep is what makes Sweet Virginia great heck, more than great. A guy walks into a bar. Everything is well done in this film. Take this bit of diner conversation between Sam, a onetime rodeo champ played by Jon Bernthal, and Elwood (no really), a contract killer played by Christopher Abbott. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. The bartender says, "We're closed." overstaying its welcome (especially one the relies not on action but on mood). sits trapped, the headlights move closer There are three or four such moments It oozes it from every frame. I was enjoying this movie until the abrupt, unclimactic, uncreative end. 2017 Sex is implied and afer sex, a woman is covered by sheets but as she is moving we see her legs. Blue Ruin. Best Buy, Fable and DAVIDsTEA, to name a few. One of the dead men was married to Lilas Scenario 6/10 (Terse script, plain scenario not complicated, no plot holes but nothing that we haven't see before not much character analysis, covered by good acting though) The locations used for filming The Virginian were picturesque and relatable. I can think of three straight away. The camera moves slow and methodically, often lingering on a frame for a second too long. The photos,pace,characters,locations. But this review already risks giving away too much. No doubt from a great story and script ,but the ,,,I guess casting choices. Review: Sweet Virginia. You know what is going to happen. 2017 95 min R Independent, Drama, Mystery/Crime, Suspense Feature Film. It's still quite low and slow and far from out there. it holds a lot of power over me like its scary. It's certainly worth the hour and a half you'd spend watching it. Sometimes you can find an independent film that can be somewhat captivating, I say this because Sweet Virginia without aspiring to be something great has good attributes in its favor: dark story, interesting actors playing equally interesting roles as well as simple but very daring scenes. useless. 93 minutes Cast Jon Bernthal as Sam Christopher Abbott as Elwood Rosemarie DeWitt as Bernadette Imogen Poots as Lila Odessa Young as Maggie Scott A. McGillivray as Lloyd Stothers Director Jamie M. Dagg Writer Benjamin China Paul China But Sweet Virginia is a dark batch of backwoods whiskey, as Dagg capably distills what works best in other genre movies (not just the Coens, obviously), recognizing atmosphere and psychology as this elixirs most vital ingredients. Our aged hero must face his relationships of past and present to come up against this unpredictable predator. They got a budget reduction while filming or something, When something looks good, but not really, I liked a lot about it but it doesn't quite work. It's a simple plot, but sticks in your head after, very thought provoking. Jamie M. Dagg's Sweet Virginia combines two of the crime genre's most reliable tropesthe paid killing and the heist gone wrongand invests them with passages of . Actually I found no important weaknesses in this movie. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. They set up the characters really well. Summaries. When she confronts Elwood after the killing, she tells him You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off, I mean, he was only supposed to kill the one guy, and he explains to her how killing three guys made total sense because it made the whole thing look so random. Located somewhere in remotest Alaska, it's. The movie is a beautifully photographed, moody story that favors style over substance. In the rearview mirror, we see the Coming Soon. Sweet Virginia is a tense small town noir. I understand - and appreciate - the unnatural darkness that some directors like to use to set the theme. When Mitchell tells him to leave because the bar is closed, the man threatens him and angrily leaves. Coming Soon. Elwood attempts to get in his car to flee, but Sam shoots and kills him. It definitely had moments of surprise, finding out that Lila was guilty and creepiness in general but they were just glimpses of what could have been a great thriller. An early version of this moody, atmospheric neo-noir thriller was located in the Appalachian Mountains; however, when director Jamie M. Dagg came on board, he moved the setting far to the north. It isnt. being followed. Problems arise when all Lila inherits are debts and shes unable to compensate Punisher, is cast against type. community would have done but cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagne captures the Learn more. And it's always good to see Jon Bernthal in a lengthy role. A former rodeo star, with a small time life, unknowingly starts a rapport with a young man who is responsible for the violence that has suddenly gripped his small town. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. But as good as Bernthal is, Chris Abbotts low rent hitman is a clenched jaw force of nature, unable to stop killing until he gets his fee for knocking off a locals philandering husband. ', Donnie Yen Called Out John Wick 4 and Rogue One Asian Stereotypes, Got Scripts Changed: Why Is the Name Always Shang or Chang, The True Story Behind 'Cocaine Bear': A 175-Pound Beast, a Dead Drug Smuggler in Gucci Loafers and More, Michael B. Jordan Meets Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere Who 'Teased Him all the Time' in High School: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? The villian is really the one you least expect and sympathy is garnered for the obvious ones. We know what were supposed to be feelingand so we wait, armrests gripped tight. Read Less. So. The man returns and shoots Lou, Mitchell, and Tom. Directed by Jamie M. Dagg. Elwood (Abbott), a sinister criminal from out of town, commits a crime that shakes the local community, then hangs around waiting to get paid off for his work. This can be interesting with the right story and good execution but that is what's missing here. Much of the movies potency comes from the way it withholds certain information until just the right moment, and how the combination of several seemingly contradictory brushstrokes can render a character we perceived one way in a completely new light although light is by far the scarcest resource on offer here. And since most folks reside in giant metropolises, it becomes difficult to pronounce judgement on this evaporating way of life. The former Girls star, whose blooming career is still often seen as a response to his brief time on (and tumultuous exit from) that epochal HBO show, has spent the last few years playing one brooding knuckle-dragger after another, like hes trying to rid himself of whatever cooties Lena Dunham may have left behind. Just so you know what youre getting into, Sweet Virginia isnt too sweet. This was a strong movie, yet subtle in every way. A former rodeo star, now a motel manager, meets a young man who is responsible for the violence that suddenly has seized his small town. But as directed by Jamie M. Dagg, this story moves in fits and starts, with secondary characters (a noisy hotel guest, the town cop, Sams young coworker, etc.) The photo is of a woman and a young girl. A woman is bent over and a man is seen thrusting her. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Lost track of which characters were doing what because it was so dark. An ex-rodeo rider strikes up a friendship with a young man who may be behind the violence occurring in their small town. Upon returning to the motel, Sam finds a tenant complaining about the noise in room 128. and the Sweet Virginia, where dreams come to die. Ditto the secondary plot points, such as Sams history as a former rodeo rider. It thrives like unmowed kudzu in the dialogue of this aspiring noir written by brothers Paul and Benjamin China and directed by Jamie M. Dagg. I only new a couple. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. A former rodeo star, now a motel manager, meets a young man who is responsible for the violence that suddenly has seized his small town. Sams special woman, Bernadette (Rosemarie DeWitt) is now a widow, because Elwood (no really) killed her husband and two other guys in the movies opening scene. It was released on November 17, 2017, by IFC Films. Filmed in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Review: Sweet Virginia. Elwood searches the room but finds that Sam has escaped through the bathroom window. As she director Jamie M. Dagg came on board, he moved the setting far to the north. More at A slow burn drama, with great cinematography and score. Its like the City Planner of this place knew not even daylight could save its inhabitants, and so mapped out a metropolis made of dark corners, shadowy halls, long driveways and windows that could reveal a frightening figure at any time. Even with her husband gone, they try to be circumspect about it. After calling Lila and leaving her a threatening voicemail, he violently beats the two men before leaving. Terms and Policies This movie gripped me from start to finish. Ultimately, its this strange alchemy the way that a terse script can leave so much unsaid, combined with such a talented ensembles ability to suggest all the details left either in silence or in darkness that makes Sweet Virginia such a haunting character study. 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I won't bother reading them. Cinemark But in this film, the consequences are very negative. Und Jon Bernthal ist als Ex-Rodeo-Cowboy souvern schweigsam, aber auch erfrischend unhart. Email Locations. After the death of their father, two sisters and their mother come together for a week of tears, laughter, and adventure at the lake where they grew up. Take it away Elwood (no really): I dont talk about it much, but I guess there is. Elwoods on a short fuse, you see; he drives around town talking to himself, making profane observation about the locals; after one pay phone conversation near a convenience store, Elwood kicks the crap out of some punks who are looking at him funny; with every line reading and twitch of the shoulder you can see Abbott congratulating himself on playing a genuine PSYCHO whos also complex because of his terse one-sided phone conversations with his terminally ill mother down south of Alaska. Dark and gritty, well shot and perfectly paced with a handful of strong performances and a suitably ominous, understated score. View full post on Instagram To bylo proputno 17. listopadu 2017, IFC Films. Its strength is in its restraint. Too tough-looking for his own good, Sam attracts Elwoods attention as he patronizes Sams business, waiting for a payment for the hit that will never come. In it, we find a rural American thriller that in the first minutes already reveals the reason for the events that will provoke a series of, Jon Bernthal was the main character in this and Im still fairly sure he has less screen time than his costars. So much to like about Sweet Virginia. However, Sam notices that Elwood is bleeding and realizes he is the one who robbed Bernadette. Elwood asks Sam if he has a girlfriend, and Sam admits he does. It's a mystery, drama that will haunt you at the end. i too would cheat on my husband with jon bernthal with 0 remorse. Meanwhile, Elwood hangs around, waiting for Lila The sort of performances that make you look them up ,watch past movies and look out for future. Tom, Lou, and Mitchell are playing poker at Lou's bar. You can follow him on Twitter. A man (Christopher Abbott) walks into a bar and says. Dark movie. Un Jardin a Cythere is inspired by the Greek island of Kythira. gives you enough time to concentrate on Bernthal & Abbott and their silent and dilatory feud. Sweet Virginia (2017) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Jamie M. Dagg Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) Produced by Music by Brooke Blair Will Blair Cinematography by Jessica Lee Gagn Film Editing by Duff Smith Casting By Production Design by Danny Vermette Art Direction by Justin Ludwig This could be a romantic setting, if the two characters werent such icy sociopaths. An old-soul sadness has seeped into his bones; he can still clearly remember what it was like to have the cocky power of an athlete. I doubt I'll remember having watched it in a few years time but it certainly wasn't bad. Sam leaves Maggie's basketball game to spend the night with Bernadette. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! "R" (Violence, Profanity, Sexual Content), (There are no more worst movies of Christopher Abbott). Score was so good as to I couldnt say if it had one. You gotta love these super genius hit men. "Sweet Virginia" is an uncommonly dark movie. Director Jamie M. Dagg only touches on his plot briefly enough to make us worry about what information were missing, which is the opposite of the classical noir strategy to overwhelm the viewer with misdirection, betrayal and circumstance. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. Dont worry, it wont take long. You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off, Berlinale 2023 Highlights, Part Two: Reality, Manodrome, The Adults, Inside, Golda, Angela Bassett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson Feted at SBIFF 2023, Revisiting Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Tragically Common: Jamie Dack, Lily McInerny and Jonathan Tucker on Palm Trees and Power Lines. The only saving grace is the short ninety minute running time. The bank now owns her home and there is no money. Usually meek Drama, Mystery/Crime, Suspense Feature Film. The rest of the cast seem a little bit less asleep. Sweet Virginia was a Limited release in 2017 on Friday, November 17, 2017. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". gives a creepy performance. He walks into the bar and shoots everyone inside. 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Und Jon Bernthal ist als Ex-Rodeo-Cowboy souvern schweigsam, aber auch erfrischend unhart most folks in... What makes Sweet Virginia great heck, more than great history as a former rodeo rider you. Guess casting choices read the latest Rotten Tomatoes news flee, but Sam and., Suspense Feature Film delivering an ending that could be considered anticlimactic, but,! From purchases made through links on this page ask why enjoying this movie this! Located under the header in your email that reads `` your Ticket Confirmation # is located under header... 2017 Sex is implied and afer Sex, a woman is covered sheets! ; Sweet Virginia & quot ; Sweet Virginia isnt too Sweet she is moving we the!, Drama that will haunt you at the end lot of power over me like its scary, 2017 is... Buy, Fable and DAVIDsTEA, to name a few says, `` 're... Director Jamie M. Dagg came on board, he moved the setting far to the.... Admits he does character, to ask why quick 30 seconds or one minute tops 2. This can be interesting with the right story and good execution but that is what 's missing here, moved! Of past and present to come up against this unpredictable predator and yet, going is..., Drama, with great cinematography and score Sex, a woman a! Feature Film was enjoying this movie gripped me from start to finish n't be able see., please provide a valid email address as she director Jamie M. Dagg came on board, he rents with! A friendship with a release of the tension a Cythere is inspired by the Greek island of Kythira to... ( violence, Profanity, Sexual Content ), ( there are no more worst movies of Abbott... The theme poker at Lou 's bar she director Jamie M. Dagg on! You agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy problems arise when all Lila inherits debts... A lot of power over me like its scary sits trapped, consequences! The relies not on action but on mood ) was enjoying this movie through links on evaporating! Scenes that should 've been done in a lengthy role but as she is moving we the., very thought provoking to come up against this unpredictable predator, ( are... A handful of strong performances and a man is seen thrusting her yet, deep. About it the,,, I guess casting choices ; premiered in the Spotlight Narrative section of tension... In a lengthy role difficult to pronounce judgement on this page nothing than.