Overall this isn't a bad a movie; it's good, but not great. The scene where Sam was beat up by the hotel guest was disturbing, I thought he'd lay down the law. Set in a remote corner of Alaska, this small-town, blue-collar thriller is surprisingly cast, exceptionally well acted (male leads Jon Bernthal and Christopher Abbott might have easily switched roles, though its far more effective in this arrangement), and executed potently enough to leave a lasting impression, like scar tissue after a serious burn. Once Sam has left her home, Elwood and Paul approach the house while she is in the bathtub. Bernthal is great but even his character is a bit flimsy with a lot of unanswered details about his past looming over the viewer. Elwood asks Sam if he has a girlfriend, and Sam admits he does. A former rodeo champ befriends a young man with a propensity for violence. The assassin and manager strike an uneasy relationship. And it takes place in Alaska (though filmed in British Columbia), where we open with a triple homicide in a small. Blue Ruin. 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.) 4 / 5 stars 57% 79%. The movie is a beautifully photographed, moody story that favors style over substance. Director: Jamie M. Dagg Writers: Benjamin China, Paul China Starring: Jon Bernthal, Imogen Poots, Christopher Abbott, Rosemarie DeWitt Release Date: Premiered at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. So we know who the killer is as the film switches to Sam (Jon Bernthal) a retired rodeo rider and motel manager, the place where the killer stays. They are all somehow broken inside. EXCLUSIVE: Jon Bernthal (Daredevil), Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, Rosemarie DeWitt and Odessa Young have signed on for director Jamie Dagg's upcoming thriller Sweet Virginia, which was a Sam politely and shyly asks the tenant to quiet down, only to have the door shut in his face. 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. I can usually stick with crime stories that have a sense of humor. Small town politics. A big pile of nothingness. Film Credits Sweet Virginia (2017) Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, language, and drug use. Violence & Gore Moderate 9 of 14 found this moderate A man pulls out a gun and shoots three men. Lila tells the man she wanted Mitchell dead because he'd been unfaithful. R (Language|Drug Use|Some Strong Sexuality|Violence), Mystery & thriller, Sam leaves Maggie's basketball game to spend the night with Bernadette. Chris Knight: The central theme of murder and its aftermath is interesting for as far as it goes, but thats not enough to carry the picture home. The title has survived because one of the films central locations, a motel, is loneliness and emptiness of a location that might be difficult to find on all Elwood chases Sam into an occupied motel room, shooting the tenant in the process. Part neo-noir, part latter-day Western, this exceptional indie thriller delivers well-acted character insights amid its shadowy, small-town Alaskan setting. seeking out. So, let's answer the question. so underdeveloped they might as well not be there at all. 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. They set up the characters really well. So. I rarely write reviews but came on here as I was shocked at the low scores. The two develop a strange relationship that slowly escalates while we find out who owes Elwood, why Elwood is owed and how Elwoods debt cant be paid. The scenes at Doc's clinic are reportedly filmed in an actual house in the historic Queen's Park of New Westminster, which was recently listed for $2.3 million. Sam knocks on the door and begins fighting with the tenant. Bernthals beard and muscles are intentionally groomed to intimidate and mask the softness he crafts behind them, but its immediately apparent by Sams meek hobble that hes a broken down old bull. Their humanity, along with Bernthals, puts the alien strangeness of Abbotts performance into stark relief. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. Its an aesthetic that practically demands to be seen on the big screen, as few digital home theaters can handle the nuances of such darkness, nor the level of communion between audience and character that the movie demands. an odd title for a movie set in Alaska. 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) 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. Its strength is in its restraint. sits trapped, the headlights move closer There are three or four such moments Meanwhile, Elwood hangs around, waiting for Lila Now shes all kinds of desperate, worse off than before, and willing to jeopardize others safety to save herself including that of a local friend (Rosemarie DeWitt) also left widowed by the shooting with secrets of her own to keep. Every character from his loved ones to his business patrons, plays a part in the unravelling of this community. point: a scene in which Lila is driving across town when she suspects shes Whoa. I will do. Its not about the violence, but what lies behind it, and the devastating impact left in its wake. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. It may be predictable, but it sure isn't boring. Please check Fandango and Atom Tickets to see if the . At the motel the manager was having an affair with one of the victims. Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. This movie is not flashy though. Christopher Abbott 8/10 (Really convincing as a psycho character scary convincing!) Excuse my spelling. 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. Sex is implied and afer sex, a woman is covered by sheets but as she is moving we see her legs. A former rodeo champ befriends a young man with a propensity for violence. The police go through Elwood's belongings and find Lila's name and phone number. an affair with motel owner Sam and shes not devastated by her loss. to collect her husbands estate and pay him. [5], On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 79% of 57 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. 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. The bartender says, "We're closed." She is arrested and the final shot is of Bernadette cutting Sam's hair while he thinks about his riding accident. ex-rodeo star Sam (Jon Bernthal) hails. 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. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. The specific setting of Alaska isnt relevant (in fact, the movie was filmed to A surprising late in the year gem reminiscent of Jeremy Saulnier. I can think of three straight away. Please try again. The locations used for filming The Virginian were picturesque and relatable. In Lilas case, years of disrespect and misery have pushed her to ordering her husbands murder. Just confirm how you got your ticket. A woman is bent over and a man is seen thrusting her. It's a mystery, drama that will haunt you at the end. Coming Soon. Showing no remorse, he blames her for the circumstances because Mitchell didn't leave the bar as she said he would. being followed. Strong yet soft-spoken, The Walking Dead star Benthal plays Sam Rossi, an ex-rodeo champ who now operates a spartan motel on what feels like the brink of the world. Filmed in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. But for all her calculations, she hadnt foreseen that others would be hurt in the process. 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. Its not so much that the story is complicated. Sweet Virginia, where dreams come to die. Mobilesite. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. 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. The rest of the cast seem a little bit less asleep. Rather, theres a level of subtlety operating here that defies the genre. I doubt I'll remember having watched it in a few years time but it certainly wasn't bad. When theyre not hanging out, we see Elwood cleaning his gun, exercising, picking fights and having emotionless sex with a prostitute. This film has surprised me and even more considering that I had avoided it several times for the simple fact that the trailer did not convince me since it was released, but thank goodness I have seen it to get rid of that doubt once and for all. However, Sam notices that Elwood is bleeding and realizes he is the one who robbed Bernadette. During his sojourn, he rents a And it's always good to see Jon Bernthal in a lengthy role. Usually meek They got a budget reduction while filming or something. They set up the characters really well. Tom, Lou, and Mitchell are playing poker at Lou's bar. Elwood attempts to get in his car to flee, but Sam shoots and kills him. Sweet Virginia was written by brothers Paul and Benjamin China, and landed on the 2012 Black List, a roster of promising, unproduced screenplays that has since given us movies great (Arrival, Whiplash) and merely so-so (Draft Day, The Judge). Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Also, Sweet Virginia is not a character in this Alaska-set movie; rather, it is the name of the motel Sam owns and runs and presumably named for sentimental reason. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews but came on here as where was sweet virginia filmed was shocked at the low scores sex, a woman is by! 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