Review of Shotgun Stories (2007) by Fred T — 14 Jun 2010
Shotgun Stories might not appeal to most; it is a bleak film.
There is little in the way cinematic escapism and, instead, Nichols provides his audience with a musing on revenge, relationships and fraternity.
The setting of agricultural Arkansas, Texas, is a place of little prospect and less opportunity, and the characters are very much products of their environment; two sets of feuding half-brothers, who enter into a brutal cycle of revenge... with powerful results.
The performances are exceptional; heavyweight Michael Shannon (now Oscar Nominated) has gives an intense turn as Son Hayes, the protagonist, but equally adept is unknown Douglas Ligon, who plays his brother, Kid, the catalyst of the piece.
The savage beauty and isolation of the landscape is captured by cinematographer Adam Stone in striking, controlled wide-shots.
But what sets Shotgun Stories apart, is its underlying optimism; it is not completely unforgiving. The observed relationships and ambitions of its central characters give the film depth and poignancy lacking from the standard revenge piece.
This review of Shotgun Stories (2007) was written by Fred T on 14 Jun 2010.
Shotgun Stories has generally received positive reviews.
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