Review of Get Low (2010) by Lorenzo V — 25 Apr 2011

"They keep talking about forgiveness. "Ask Jesus for forgiveness." I never did nothing to him.".

A movie spun out of equal parts folk tale, fable and real-life legend about the mysterious, 1930s Tennessee hermit who famously threw his own rollicking funeral party... while he was still alive.

REVIEW.

Get Low has been marketed as a comedy, and while there are some fine comedic moments in this film, the overall message is a thoughtful meditation on aging, forgiving, and creating a modus exodus that will leave good memories of a life lived with some regrets. Billed as a true tall tale, the story and screenplay were written by Scott Seeke, Chris Provenzano, and C. Gaby Mitchell, a team able to capture not only a solid story but also the flavor of the Tennessee backwoods. While director Aaron Schneider doesn't have depth in his resume, he will surely become a director much sought after as people continue to absorb the flavor and message of this film.

Felix Bush (Robert Duvall in a superb performance) is a cranky old hermit who has isolated himself in his protected hovel in the forest outside a small town populated with people who have created rumors about him for the past forty years. When Felix hears of the death of an old friend from the local pastor (Gerald McRaney) he comes to grips with his own mortality and not wanting the world to remember him with disdain he decides to throw a funeral party before he dies, an opportunity for everyone in four counties to come and tell stories about him thus clearing the air before his own demise. Not liking the religious aspects of dying presented to him by the pastor, Frank encounters Frank Quinn (Bill Murray, in probably the finest role of his career) who is trying to salvage a debt-ridden funeral parlor with the help of his young assistant Buddy Robinson (Lucas Black, delivering a subtle and multifaceted performance). Frank discovers that an old acquaintance Mattie (Sissy Spacek) has moved back to the little town after many years absence and provides a bit of friendship for grumpy old Frank. Frank begins to deal with his past, memories painful to him and in heed of sharing with the town and he convinces his old pal Rev. Charlie Jackson (Bill Cobbs) to help whim with his party. The party happens, primarily because Frank has promised that anyone who attends and buys a ticket will have a chance to win his large acreage when he does indeed die. With a lot of help from Frank and especially Buddy, the party happens and the secrets of Frank's past are made known in a touching confessional from Frank.

Rarely has a small cast been so finely assembled, a cast of actors who have won many awards but who have not appeared in an ensemble film such as this. The cinematography by David Boyd and the musical score by the always reliable Jan A.P. Kaczmarek enhance this period piece. This small film may well become a cult classic among those who admire low budget, high caliber movies.