Review of Get Low (2010) by Adam R — 30 Mar 2011

Get Low is a movie with true heart but I just never really felt it. Don't get me wrong I see whats great about the film, there's a certain element of mystery that surrounds the character of Felix Bush (Robert Duvall).

Get Low starts off with it's focus surrounding Felix, who's turned into an old hermit that's secluded himself from the outside world for unknown reasons. He has hallucinations and after loosing a friend due to old age and almost dieing himself he has an epiphany.

He realizes that he wants to tell his story before he dies and have everyone attend who has a story about him. He decides to visit the local town where he encounters two funeral home directors played by Bill Murray and Lucas Black (Frank & Buddy).

The two men find themselves in a bind, there hasn't been a death in the town in quite a while and they aren't earning money. Once they encounter Felix they realize that this is their ticket to keeping the business alive and providing a service to someone who is not dead for the first time.

Buddy (Lucas Black) is a family man with morals that define his character and he keeps the deal afloat by helping Frank and Felix. One problem I had was that the movie was unsure of whether it was going to be uplifting or tragic and in the end it ended up being both.

Felix obviously has serious issues that do not get addressed until his final speech at the end. Robert Duvall gives a stellar performance in every scene but especially near the end when he bears his heart.

I recommend movie fans to pick this one up as a rental but I don't believe that it will stand the test of time. There are great performances but in the end the film left me feeling cold rather than uplifted.

The movie's premise promised a rollicking funeral party but it truly isn't much of a party rather than a revelation. This isn't a spoiler because you can probably see it coming by the second act in the film.

In conclusion Robert Duvall carries this film but unfortunately sends a message to it's audience that I don't support.