This indie, set in Pearl, Mississippi, has solid acting and believable characters, but evoked in me quite a lot of sadness. It moves along at its own deliberate pace, relies too much on flowery flashbacks, but is strangely enhanced by cuts to brief interviews with real locals of the area, who tell some harrowing personal stories.
Chris Zylka is quite solid in the lead role of Kermit, just released from prison after serving a 2 year stint. There's nothing new to the plot element that he's trying to go straight, but will be quickly lured back into one last job to help his neighbor and new girlfriend Rachel pay her mother's medical bills.
Riley Keough is excellent in the role of Rachel, and Faith Hill is superb as Kermit's sexy and free spirit mother Arietta. In supporting roles, Brad Carter is quite believable as the lowlife Larry Pretty, who's seeking revenge against Kermit, and Steve Earle adds well to the mix as Kermit's Uncle Randy.
All in all, although this movie written and directed by Hank Bedord, who's making his feature debut here, takes some predictable paths early on but it does have some twists and turns as it progresses, which I didn't guess were coming. The film gives the viewer a look at many lost souls who are ensconced in a cycle of poverty, drugs, violence, and family loyalties, often leading to incarceration. However, if one doesn't mind the deliberate pacing or the grimness and sadness, it can be worth a watch.
Chris Zylka is quite solid in the lead role of Kermit, just released from prison after serving a 2 year stint. There's nothing new to the plot element that he's trying to go straight, but will be quickly lured back into one last job to help his neighbor and new girlfriend Rachel pay her mother's medical bills.
Riley Keough is excellent in the role of Rachel, and Faith Hill is superb as Kermit's sexy and free spirit mother Arietta. In supporting roles, Brad Carter is quite believable as the lowlife Larry Pretty, who's seeking revenge against Kermit, and Steve Earle adds well to the mix as Kermit's Uncle Randy.
All in all, although this movie written and directed by Hank Bedord, who's making his feature debut here, takes some predictable paths early on but it does have some twists and turns as it progresses, which I didn't guess were coming. The film gives the viewer a look at many lost souls who are ensconced in a cycle of poverty, drugs, violence, and family loyalties, often leading to incarceration. However, if one doesn't mind the deliberate pacing or the grimness and sadness, it can be worth a watch.