I'm partial to these slice-of-life Americana films. I enjoyed SS and, if you're not looking for big budget thrills, you should enjoy SS too. The movie is set in rural Arkansas and deals with semi-poor folk who tend not to complicate life with much more than sweat, blood and spit. Like many films of this type, its heavy on slow shots of sunsets, sunrise (emphasizing simple day-to-day existence), has simple, clipped dialog, finger-picked guitar scoring and uncomplicated storyline.
Notwithstanding, SS doesn't work as well as others of this type. The background story is just a little too bare. We know the premise is a man who fathered two families (simultaneously?) though the resulting hostilities are largely unexplained; e.g., the mother of the downtrodden clan has a three minute scene where she is trimming a hedge and...well, that's all that happens. Missing is just a hint of motivation, distinction or background to the families and the many individuals sons/brothers. As a result, SS comes across as being a bit too smug, taking too much for granted.
I still don't regret watching the film. All involved, writer, director, actors, etc., show much promise. And if you like movies of this type, watch THE REAL GIRLS, LONESOME JIM, TULLY, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, THE GOOD LIFE or THE CAKE EATERS.
Notwithstanding, SS doesn't work as well as others of this type. The background story is just a little too bare. We know the premise is a man who fathered two families (simultaneously?) though the resulting hostilities are largely unexplained; e.g., the mother of the downtrodden clan has a three minute scene where she is trimming a hedge and...well, that's all that happens. Missing is just a hint of motivation, distinction or background to the families and the many individuals sons/brothers. As a result, SS comes across as being a bit too smug, taking too much for granted.
I still don't regret watching the film. All involved, writer, director, actors, etc., show much promise. And if you like movies of this type, watch THE REAL GIRLS, LONESOME JIM, TULLY, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, THE GOOD LIFE or THE CAKE EATERS.