"You're the one obsessed with death. My Hunter was obsessed with life." Hannah (Hall) is trying to cope with the death of her husband, and popular singer. She spends her life living in the past and trying everything to keep his memory alive. When Andrew (Sudeikis) shows up wanting to write a book about him he is met with resistance from Hannah. Little by little the more they talk they more they realize they both have something that will help the other one. This is a very good movie that is worth watching, but it also a tad bit generic and cookie cutter like. Most romantic comedies are though so going in I expected that. Sudeikis is great and funny as always, even though this is more serious than we are used to from him. In terms of romantic movies this is one that men will like, maybe more than women. Overall, a movie that I did like but was almost a little too cookie cutter like to be considered original. I give this a B-.
46 Reviews
Almost touches Great - But settles for Decent
karthikchsharry14 March 2016
Tumbledown is that kind of movie which makes you feel "Oh! It's good. But it should have been better". You'd almost feel sorry for the entire cast because they have given such exceptional performances only to be let down by clichéd writing towards the end. But it still is a Dramedy worth watching.
Coming to the performances, there are absolutely no complaints here. I can safely say that Jason Sudeikis steals the show with his charm and timing. Rebecca Hall gives her best and suits for the role well. In fact we can watch the movie just for the leads' performances. The supporting cast does justice to their roles.
Verdict: Go for it!
Coming to the performances, there are absolutely no complaints here. I can safely say that Jason Sudeikis steals the show with his charm and timing. Rebecca Hall gives her best and suits for the role well. In fact we can watch the movie just for the leads' performances. The supporting cast does justice to their roles.
Verdict: Go for it!
It's about little things which sprung only with somebody else
DVR_Brale12 August 2016
This is a cute little movie! Maybe it was a bit to cheesy for a true man I myself am, but I liked it nevertheless. Let me immediately point out what's the best this movie gives: it' chemistry between McDonnell (Sudeikis) and Hannah (Hall). They can be compared to Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni in The Family Man.
Story itself is predictable. Hannah deals with loss and keeps being trapped in past when a NYC writer arrives and makes her confront herself. The rest I leave to your imagination.
There's a mindset one has to adopt in order to enjoy this movie. This is not about delivering story or even emotion (expect lots of them) - it's about little things which we usually take for granted and realize how important they are once they're gone. Little things which come to life only when somebody comes to our life. Little things we share together. Adopt this mindset and you're going to enjoy this movie as it may bring forth some memories.
Now the soundtrack. Music is almost central to the movie. All the credits for soundtrack go to Damien Jurado. Search him - I'm sure you'll find it very relaxing and nice. His music really helps you to find and reflect upon some precious moments in the movie and in your own life. Since almost entire movie plays in a little, snowy town, movie really blends with the music.
Jason Sudeikis shows some acting skills! He's the main star of the movie - very entertaining and charismatic. Rebecca Hall was a cutie. Together they form a nice couple. Chemistry among them is what gives a reason for adopting mindset mentioned above.
It's never easy to "Turn the page and start a new chapter" as the tag line suggests. It's really not easy to do it only by yourself. I recall what C.S.Lewis once wrote:
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."
If you want to see this quote in motion, see this movie.
Story itself is predictable. Hannah deals with loss and keeps being trapped in past when a NYC writer arrives and makes her confront herself. The rest I leave to your imagination.
There's a mindset one has to adopt in order to enjoy this movie. This is not about delivering story or even emotion (expect lots of them) - it's about little things which we usually take for granted and realize how important they are once they're gone. Little things which come to life only when somebody comes to our life. Little things we share together. Adopt this mindset and you're going to enjoy this movie as it may bring forth some memories.
Now the soundtrack. Music is almost central to the movie. All the credits for soundtrack go to Damien Jurado. Search him - I'm sure you'll find it very relaxing and nice. His music really helps you to find and reflect upon some precious moments in the movie and in your own life. Since almost entire movie plays in a little, snowy town, movie really blends with the music.
Jason Sudeikis shows some acting skills! He's the main star of the movie - very entertaining and charismatic. Rebecca Hall was a cutie. Together they form a nice couple. Chemistry among them is what gives a reason for adopting mindset mentioned above.
It's never easy to "Turn the page and start a new chapter" as the tag line suggests. It's really not easy to do it only by yourself. I recall what C.S.Lewis once wrote:
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."
If you want to see this quote in motion, see this movie.
A satisfying romance avoiding many of the clichés.
JohnDeSando11 February 2016
Reviewing a Nicholas Sparks'-related film is not a happy assignment because of its near-guarantee of maudlin, tear jerking sentiment. Hooray! Because Tumbledown is the anti-Sparks romance, nothing to do with his weepers, in fact a hard-nosed but sympathetic study of Hannah's (Rebecca Hall) writing a biography of her notably- accomplished folk-singer, late husband's short life.
Although this summary might seem Sparksean, it is not that at all. Perhaps the innocence and originality of the production comes from its freshman director, Sean Mewshaw and his collaborating writer, his wife, Desiree Van Til. Both are gifted and devoid of the penchant for cliché so dominant in other romances.
This realist-oriented romance finds Hannah struggling with her writing and her business-associate, a college professor, Andrew (Jason Sudekis). Although a certain element of formula must be present as she insults him regularly (a sure sign they will fall in love), it is 90 min before they kiss—another Hooray! During this first 2/3, most of the dialogue is rapid and sardonic, a sweetness to my word-addicted ears.
Moments occur in this dialogue-driven segment when I am reminded of the early 20th century love of screwball comedic repartee. The rapid fire insults and witticism are nectar to those of us who have grown up on Jud Apatow's romcoms potty humor and pratfalls. While Tumbledown has its moments of pratfalls and excessive dialogue, overall it is balm for the ears, and, given the attractiveness of Hall and Sudekis, a sight for sore eyes.
Because I lived for a year in Northern Maine, I must laud the picture's artists for capturing small town Maine life without parodying its apparent narrowness and gruffness. A warm interior lies at the center of the outwardly hostile natives; it's a warm interior that catches heat from the ubiquitous fireplaces (we had wood stoves). Visitors from the city like Andrew and his girlfriend, Finley (Dianna Agron), may just never qualify for residency the way Hannah does.
Although this summary might seem Sparksean, it is not that at all. Perhaps the innocence and originality of the production comes from its freshman director, Sean Mewshaw and his collaborating writer, his wife, Desiree Van Til. Both are gifted and devoid of the penchant for cliché so dominant in other romances.
This realist-oriented romance finds Hannah struggling with her writing and her business-associate, a college professor, Andrew (Jason Sudekis). Although a certain element of formula must be present as she insults him regularly (a sure sign they will fall in love), it is 90 min before they kiss—another Hooray! During this first 2/3, most of the dialogue is rapid and sardonic, a sweetness to my word-addicted ears.
Moments occur in this dialogue-driven segment when I am reminded of the early 20th century love of screwball comedic repartee. The rapid fire insults and witticism are nectar to those of us who have grown up on Jud Apatow's romcoms potty humor and pratfalls. While Tumbledown has its moments of pratfalls and excessive dialogue, overall it is balm for the ears, and, given the attractiveness of Hall and Sudekis, a sight for sore eyes.
Because I lived for a year in Northern Maine, I must laud the picture's artists for capturing small town Maine life without parodying its apparent narrowness and gruffness. A warm interior lies at the center of the outwardly hostile natives; it's a warm interior that catches heat from the ubiquitous fireplaces (we had wood stoves). Visitors from the city like Andrew and his girlfriend, Finley (Dianna Agron), may just never qualify for residency the way Hannah does.
Near Miss
larrys313 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This movie, on the surface, would seem to have the ingredients of a successful film. It has two charismatic lead actors in Rebecca Hall and Jason Sudekis, a good supporting cast, a nice small town in Maine flavor, and beautiful cinematography.However, for me, it just never seemed to come together to a point where I was able to connect emotionally with its characters.
Hall portrays Hannah, living in a backwoods area of Maine, who is grieving the loss of her husband Hunter, some two years before, from a hiking accident, He was a singer/songwriter who had a wildly successful first album, thus achieving great notoriety before his death, and was revered by Hannah.
Sudekis plays Andrew, a writer and associate professor, who doggedly pursues Hannah to possibly collaborate on a book he's writing about talented artists who have died way too young. However, Hannah wants to write her own biography of Hunter, and resists Andrew until she realizes she does indeed need his help. As Andrew uncovers more and more information, he begins to suspect that Hunter may have committed suicide and that his death was not an accident. The interplay between the two works well, at times, but at other times seems forced and just doesn't ring true.
All in all, this movie, directed by Sean Mewshaw with a screenplay from Desi Van Til, had its moments but never really came across to me as totally believable, so I would say it was a near miss.
Hall portrays Hannah, living in a backwoods area of Maine, who is grieving the loss of her husband Hunter, some two years before, from a hiking accident, He was a singer/songwriter who had a wildly successful first album, thus achieving great notoriety before his death, and was revered by Hannah.
Sudekis plays Andrew, a writer and associate professor, who doggedly pursues Hannah to possibly collaborate on a book he's writing about talented artists who have died way too young. However, Hannah wants to write her own biography of Hunter, and resists Andrew until she realizes she does indeed need his help. As Andrew uncovers more and more information, he begins to suspect that Hunter may have committed suicide and that his death was not an accident. The interplay between the two works well, at times, but at other times seems forced and just doesn't ring true.
All in all, this movie, directed by Sean Mewshaw with a screenplay from Desi Van Til, had its moments but never really came across to me as totally believable, so I would say it was a near miss.
Grief therapy and redemption
ferguson-610 February 2016
Greetings again from the darkness. If I find myself three minutes into a movie and have already executed a couple of eye-rolls, any hopes for a decent little Romantic-Comedy-Drama would ordinarily be dashed. However, having Rebecca Hall's character narrate her writing efforts as she taps away on the keyboard, actually does serve the story. The first feature from director Sean Mewshaw and his screen writing wife Desiree Van Til takes advantage of a beautiful setting, a slew of contrasts, and some heartfelt music to keep us interested in how things plays out.
Ms. Hall plays Hannah, the grieving young widow who has stashed herself away in a lakefront cabin located in the rural Maine community in which she was raised. Her grief remains burdensome some two years after the tragic death of her husband Hunter Miles – a folk singer whose only album (and subsequent death) created a public mystique and a defensiveness on the part of Hannah to protect and control his legacy.
As a Ph.D from Brown, periodic contributor to the local newspaper, and soul mate of Hunter, Hannah undertakes the writing of his biography in the shadow of the studio monument that continues to expand with trinkets left at his gravesite by a cult of fans paying respect. Griffin Dunne plays her friend and owner of the local bookstore and publisher of the newspaper. His less than enthusiastic critique of her early pages of the biography correspond with the vigorous pursuit by a Hofstra Pop Culture Professor with a book publishing deal who wants to make Hunter a key element of his new project.
Jason Sudeikis plays Andrew, and his fast-talking big city mannerisms don't initially mesh so well with the hyper-sensitive and protective grieving widow. The two spar like brother and sister, and the initial adversarial relationship means only one thing in the movie world romance is in the air. Fortunately, the focus on telling the story of Hunter acts as a form of grief therapy for Hannah and a bit of redemption of spirit for Andrew. Of course, the path to enlightenment is not simple for either. Hannah's "friend with benefits" is a hunky local power company worker played by Joe Manganiello ("True Blood"), and Andrew's big city music industry girlfriend is played by Dianna Agron ("Glee"). But as you would expect, the biggest obstacle faced by the two leads is their own stubbornness.
We learn the most about Andrew and Hannah when they are around others. An Easter luncheon with Hannah's family is especially insightful. Her parents are played by Blythe Danner and Richard Masur, and as viewers we long for more scenes featuring these two characters (and terrific actors). We sense that these parents see right through Andrew and Hannah. Can Hannah let down her guard so that she can move on with life? Can Andrew quell his ambition so that the emotional connection takes place?
Beautifully shot (with British Columbia substituting for Maine), the aspect of nature plays a role in contrasting country girl with city boy, and it's the accidental discovery of a long lost song that highlights the stark difference in motives while also being the impetus for change. Hunter's original music is heard throughout the film, and it's actually Damien Jurado whose singing and songwriting add an element of intrigue and realism. Hannah, as narrator, states "In the middle, we feel like it's never going to end." While that may be true for many romance movies, the filmmakers here avoid the "too cute" moments that spoil most in this genre and impressively overcome those early eye-rolls.
Ms. Hall plays Hannah, the grieving young widow who has stashed herself away in a lakefront cabin located in the rural Maine community in which she was raised. Her grief remains burdensome some two years after the tragic death of her husband Hunter Miles – a folk singer whose only album (and subsequent death) created a public mystique and a defensiveness on the part of Hannah to protect and control his legacy.
As a Ph.D from Brown, periodic contributor to the local newspaper, and soul mate of Hunter, Hannah undertakes the writing of his biography in the shadow of the studio monument that continues to expand with trinkets left at his gravesite by a cult of fans paying respect. Griffin Dunne plays her friend and owner of the local bookstore and publisher of the newspaper. His less than enthusiastic critique of her early pages of the biography correspond with the vigorous pursuit by a Hofstra Pop Culture Professor with a book publishing deal who wants to make Hunter a key element of his new project.
Jason Sudeikis plays Andrew, and his fast-talking big city mannerisms don't initially mesh so well with the hyper-sensitive and protective grieving widow. The two spar like brother and sister, and the initial adversarial relationship means only one thing in the movie world romance is in the air. Fortunately, the focus on telling the story of Hunter acts as a form of grief therapy for Hannah and a bit of redemption of spirit for Andrew. Of course, the path to enlightenment is not simple for either. Hannah's "friend with benefits" is a hunky local power company worker played by Joe Manganiello ("True Blood"), and Andrew's big city music industry girlfriend is played by Dianna Agron ("Glee"). But as you would expect, the biggest obstacle faced by the two leads is their own stubbornness.
We learn the most about Andrew and Hannah when they are around others. An Easter luncheon with Hannah's family is especially insightful. Her parents are played by Blythe Danner and Richard Masur, and as viewers we long for more scenes featuring these two characters (and terrific actors). We sense that these parents see right through Andrew and Hannah. Can Hannah let down her guard so that she can move on with life? Can Andrew quell his ambition so that the emotional connection takes place?
Beautifully shot (with British Columbia substituting for Maine), the aspect of nature plays a role in contrasting country girl with city boy, and it's the accidental discovery of a long lost song that highlights the stark difference in motives while also being the impetus for change. Hunter's original music is heard throughout the film, and it's actually Damien Jurado whose singing and songwriting add an element of intrigue and realism. Hannah, as narrator, states "In the middle, we feel like it's never going to end." While that may be true for many romance movies, the filmmakers here avoid the "too cute" moments that spoil most in this genre and impressively overcome those early eye-rolls.
It's another good movie that showcases Jason Sudeikis leading man skills
subxerogravity11 February 2016
I don't know how badly Jason Sudeikis wants to be this generations' Tom Hanks, but Tumbledown has him heading in the right direction. In this RomCom, Sudeikis plays a lit professor writing a book on folk music with a dead folk singer who had one amazing album being his focus, but his widow, played by Rebecca Hall does not trust him to do her late husband justice.
I watched Sudeikis on Saturday Night Live and thought he was funny, but this movie also shows how charming he can be. He's also not a bad looking guy. In fact, it looks like he shed a few pounds in this flick, don't know if it was particularly for this movie, but it does add something to his charisma of playing a upbeat lover of music, who can drop a Biggie reference as easily as he can drop a Bob Dylan reference.
I'm saying a lot about Sudeikis, even though Tumbledown's Plot revolves more around the widow of the dead folk singer, played by Rebecca Hall. Hall's performance did not stand out for me, which is unfortunate. Not that Sudeikis was not playing just another RomCom stereotype, but what he brought to the table shined pretty bright.
Give a honorable mention to Joe Manganiello and Blythe Danner who had some funner one-liners and zingers that added flavor to the movie.
I'm not a Romcom man, but if you are, this is a good one.
I watched Sudeikis on Saturday Night Live and thought he was funny, but this movie also shows how charming he can be. He's also not a bad looking guy. In fact, it looks like he shed a few pounds in this flick, don't know if it was particularly for this movie, but it does add something to his charisma of playing a upbeat lover of music, who can drop a Biggie reference as easily as he can drop a Bob Dylan reference.
I'm saying a lot about Sudeikis, even though Tumbledown's Plot revolves more around the widow of the dead folk singer, played by Rebecca Hall. Hall's performance did not stand out for me, which is unfortunate. Not that Sudeikis was not playing just another RomCom stereotype, but what he brought to the table shined pretty bright.
Give a honorable mention to Joe Manganiello and Blythe Danner who had some funner one-liners and zingers that added flavor to the movie.
I'm not a Romcom man, but if you are, this is a good one.
lose the girlfriend and add the dead husband
SnoopyStyle22 April 2017
Hannah Miles (Rebecca Hall) is struggling after the death of her folk singer husband Hunter. She lives alone in rural Maine. She is angry when Andrew McCabe (Jason Sudeikis) from Hofstra University shows up looking to write about Hunter. She claims to be writing his biography but it's not turning out good. She reluctantly asks Andrew to co-write with her.
I like everybody here. The characters are nice. There is potential for a good rom-com. Andrew has a perfectly good relationship with Finley which leaves any romance with Hannah next to impossible. It would work so much better if that is off the table. A jealous Joe Manganiello has one good scene. He could have done so much more. There could be flashbacks to show the drama and the romance of the marriage. There are missed opportunities everywhere. This could be a much better indie dramedy.
I like everybody here. The characters are nice. There is potential for a good rom-com. Andrew has a perfectly good relationship with Finley which leaves any romance with Hannah next to impossible. It would work so much better if that is off the table. A jealous Joe Manganiello has one good scene. He could have done so much more. There could be flashbacks to show the drama and the romance of the marriage. There are missed opportunities everywhere. This could be a much better indie dramedy.
First 40 minutes great, last half of the movie falls apart.
TxFlyboy21 February 2016
Watched this on VuDu on 2/20/16 and it was an engaging heartfelt movie that drew us in at the start, but then it began a slow agonizing death by the mid-point and by the end of the movie we were praying for the end. Any end. Just end it. The movie just falls apart in the second half. Almost as if the ending production was rushed because everyone was bored or ran out of interesting things to say and do on screen. There are so many wasted story lines in this movie that just seem to start, do nothing, mean nothing, and go absolutely nowhere. The only character that seemed to engage and hold our attention was the one played by Jason. 5/10. And I am being generous.
Mild Deja Vu?
mstyers-420955 September 2021
Another uncompelling Jason Dudekis rom-com (actually more drama than com)
estreet-eva14 February 2016
Following on the middling artistic and lacking financial success of "Sleeping with Other People", the uncompelling Jason Sudekis leads another mildly entertaining star-crossed rom-com. This time he spars with, falls for, leaves, returns to, you know the Hollywood romance do- se-do by now. This one brings more drama to the mix than the standard outing being it is centered around the likely suicide of a legendary but little-known folk singer. Speaking of singer, a major problem with the movie beyond Sudekis is the lack of music. The movie never establishes the genius of the deceased folks singer which would then explain why Sudekis' Hofstra professor would spend his time writing about it and a later revelation involving a missing track. The uneven plot never draws you so that you are not consciously aware of the underlying trajectory of the formula. It lacks interesting supporting characters putting more unneeded pressure on the leads. In short, not a bad film but not really enough here to make the outing worth while.
Learning to Let Go
merridowell21 May 2016
I was expecting a romantic comedy when I got this movie, and I have to say that not only is that not what this is, I was pleasantly surprised.
This movie is about grieving and learning to let go of those we've lost, but it is also sweet in a sort of unexpected way. Rebecca Hall and Jason Sudeikis are a great pair and their on-screen chemistry is fantastic. It's the first movie that has made me a fan of Jason Sudeikis.
Set in the beautiful Maine mountains, the soft folk music in the background adds to the serenity of the mountainside and the heartbreak Hall's character is experiencing and the journey you'll go on with her.
If you're looking for a movie that is sweet, poignant, and guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings, this is it. I would highly recommend this movie.
This movie is about grieving and learning to let go of those we've lost, but it is also sweet in a sort of unexpected way. Rebecca Hall and Jason Sudeikis are a great pair and their on-screen chemistry is fantastic. It's the first movie that has made me a fan of Jason Sudeikis.
Set in the beautiful Maine mountains, the soft folk music in the background adds to the serenity of the mountainside and the heartbreak Hall's character is experiencing and the journey you'll go on with her.
If you're looking for a movie that is sweet, poignant, and guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings, this is it. I would highly recommend this movie.
Provocation from grief turns to romance
shakercoola28 July 2018
An American romantic comedy; A story about a young woman who struggles to move on with her life after the death of her husband, when a brash New York writer forces her to confront her loss and the ambiguous circumstances of his death. The theme is about the timing of moving on during grief of a loved on. It's poignant and humorous, but rather inconsequential as it meanders through scenes of defensiveness, shutting out, letting in, pushing away, time and again. It becomes cloying and sentimental when it shouldn't because Jason Sudeikis and Rebecca Hall are attractive to watch , but, alas, convention wins the day. Nonetheless, it is well directed: the comic tone never betrays the pain associated with grief.
Tumbled down
PacmanKO8818 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Started at a 7 for me...then maybe 6....then definitely a 5 with how it ended.
I know she was grieving but Hall's character was tedious to watch. Not her fault, good acting, but I could not feel sympathetic.
But my main issue for how (and why??) this turned into a cheesy love story. As for the how, the chemistry was not there between these two characters for me to believe, but into it. It also happened so quickly at the end, so contrived, not natural at all. As for the why, this movie didn't NEED to fall into that trap. It was an interesting enough premise from the beginning that did not need to go down that route. It had the potential to be something so much more original. I was thinking it was coming, but really hoping it wouldn't, then sure enough it did. Went from pretty decent to just ok, something different to something we've seen a million times. A bummer in the end.
I know she was grieving but Hall's character was tedious to watch. Not her fault, good acting, but I could not feel sympathetic.
But my main issue for how (and why??) this turned into a cheesy love story. As for the how, the chemistry was not there between these two characters for me to believe, but into it. It also happened so quickly at the end, so contrived, not natural at all. As for the why, this movie didn't NEED to fall into that trap. It was an interesting enough premise from the beginning that did not need to go down that route. It had the potential to be something so much more original. I was thinking it was coming, but really hoping it wouldn't, then sure enough it did. Went from pretty decent to just ok, something different to something we've seen a million times. A bummer in the end.
Pleasant enough movie featuring two attractive actors.
TxMike18 August 2019
My wife and I watched this at home via Amazon Prime streaming movies.
A woman in a sleepy Maine town, where everyone knows everyone else, works as a part time writer for the local rag. Her husband, a well-regarded composer and singer, had died not long ago in a hiking accident and she was having trouble getting past it.
A Hofstra professor in New York was a fan, he wants to write a proper biography of the singer, so he travels to Maine to see what he can find. This gets him to encounter the young widow.
While this exact story has not been told in a movie it is not unlike many others. The widow and the writer do not get along at all, he is pleasant but frank, she is emotional and resistant to anyone meddling into her dead husband's memory. But he persists and ultimately, fortunately before the movie ends, they begin to find ways to work together. And maybe a nice romance thrown in as a bonus.
A pleasant enough movie for a slow evening after a steak and a bottle of Oregon Cabernet.
A woman in a sleepy Maine town, where everyone knows everyone else, works as a part time writer for the local rag. Her husband, a well-regarded composer and singer, had died not long ago in a hiking accident and she was having trouble getting past it.
A Hofstra professor in New York was a fan, he wants to write a proper biography of the singer, so he travels to Maine to see what he can find. This gets him to encounter the young widow.
While this exact story has not been told in a movie it is not unlike many others. The widow and the writer do not get along at all, he is pleasant but frank, she is emotional and resistant to anyone meddling into her dead husband's memory. But he persists and ultimately, fortunately before the movie ends, they begin to find ways to work together. And maybe a nice romance thrown in as a bonus.
A pleasant enough movie for a slow evening after a steak and a bottle of Oregon Cabernet.
Great movie that needed a better ending
eric-356-7907272 September 2021
Without spoiling the ending... well, the ending is right on the poster, but without ruining it, I would say this movie was wonderful until the ideas ran out and they decided to close it with a rom-com ending. The cast is wonderful and it's still worth the time, but a much better movie about someone obsessed with a musician's one perfect album musician is "Juliet, Naked".
Great Dialogue
paddleranger13 August 2019
**1/2
edwagreen10 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This was really over-blown drama. A college professor wants to write a book about a songwriter who died young and meets tremendous opposition from his widow at the film's beginning. Everyone says she is still grieving. Nonsense. She is already having a sexual escapade with another man and her dancing at the local club wasn't exactly mournful either.
This becomes a story of how a relationship builds between the professor and young girl. Blythe Danner, as her mother, is an interesting character. In the way she is speaking, you would swear that it was her son and not her son-in-law who died.
The common denominator here for both the professor and young widow is suicide, and how it both touched them.
Perhaps, it was the chilling cold of Maine that couldn't make me warm up to this film. Neither could the characters either.
This becomes a story of how a relationship builds between the professor and young girl. Blythe Danner, as her mother, is an interesting character. In the way she is speaking, you would swear that it was her son and not her son-in-law who died.
The common denominator here for both the professor and young widow is suicide, and how it both touched them.
Perhaps, it was the chilling cold of Maine that couldn't make me warm up to this film. Neither could the characters either.
A good nap-time flick!
cekadah21 February 2016
If you want to take a little nap and need to fall asleep quickly - just start this movie and be assured you will tumbledown into sleepy head rest. This story of the widowed Hannah living her secluded life in the back country of Maine is so slow and boring and lifeless you will join them in their lethargic existence and your nap will be upon you quickly.
The poor grieving widow Hannah certainly has no trouble getting 'it' from the horny local power company worker who always shows up with a little gift in exchange for 'it'. Then Andrew shows up and the story aptly tumbles-down from that point on. Even Blythe Danner can't keep this story or movie awake! To be more than honest, yes I did fall asleep watching this one hour and forty-five minute flick, and I wasn't remotely sleepy when I started watching. Neither am I compelled to watch it again because it's just so boring.
Just another example of a big budget flop with the actors walking through their parts because they seemed equally bored and obviously did it for the money.
The poor grieving widow Hannah certainly has no trouble getting 'it' from the horny local power company worker who always shows up with a little gift in exchange for 'it'. Then Andrew shows up and the story aptly tumbles-down from that point on. Even Blythe Danner can't keep this story or movie awake! To be more than honest, yes I did fall asleep watching this one hour and forty-five minute flick, and I wasn't remotely sleepy when I started watching. Neither am I compelled to watch it again because it's just so boring.
Just another example of a big budget flop with the actors walking through their parts because they seemed equally bored and obviously did it for the money.
What a surprise! Lit us up for the evening!!
jkt200628 July 2020
This is such an underrated but very well made romantic(comedy) movie. Both Rebecca Hall and Jason Sudeikis nail it beautifully. Not a minute where one feels bored or disengaged from the story or it's characters. Hats off to the scriptwriter and the director for pulling off this good one in a crowd of so called romcoms which come up with nothing new. This one is a great romcom to begin with that goes into totally another territory...Figure it yourself! I enjoyed it thorougly!
nonsense story with struggling acting
rofgabor31 May 2016
I will never get the time back I spent watching this. The movie was just watchable enough that I thought something will eventually happen that makes sense and I did until it ended: hence watched the WHOLE MOVIE!!! It felt like as if 3 semi-talented writers left their unfinished scripts in a bar, someone found it, shuffled the pages, threw away half and someone made a movie of a completely disconnected, weird, whiny script. The acting was so bad, with 0 chemistry between the "will they be/will they not lovers?" plus they barely cared about their part. The premise of the movie: some dead musician who wrote some awesome tunes that almost nobody appreciated was very symbolic, with a twist: this fiction was not any way awesome. Disclaimer: I loved both Sudekis and Hall in other movies.
Inspired and entertaining study on the inevitable selfishness of grief
reviewcentralny3 March 2016
Understated, honest and soulfully choreographed. The cast is engaging, authentic and surprisingly interesting even in the most ordinary situations, of which there are few. Grief may be the premise of this film, but the result is a calm escape into a world you'll be happy to spend some time in.
After reading about the film, I did expect an Indie movie with the usual predictable story lines and romantic frou frou, and there is no shortage of that, but there is another layer of depth that caught me off guard. The intimate warmth of the soundtrack, like the weightless smoke of a dying candle in a quiet room, lingers long after the end credits are over. Some of the songs really are beautiful enough to warrant this type of language, trust me. So do the memories of other musicians who left behind their timeless creations along with the shock and mystery of a lifetime cut short. Martyn Bennett and Jeff Buckley, however different the circumstances of their departure, come to mind.
Whenever an Indie movie finds the perfect balance between lighthearted, mainstream entertainment and the relatability of a smaller story and budget, it proofs that a solid Indie production can transcend the restrictions of a genre and touch the audience beyond 90 minutes of entertainment.
I couldn't think of a single studio produced movie in recent months that achieved 'Tumbledown's subtlety and depth with the same simplicity and grace. To proof my point, this movie would work even without the romance and succeed as a relevant reflection on grief and the responsibility of moving on.
After reading about the film, I did expect an Indie movie with the usual predictable story lines and romantic frou frou, and there is no shortage of that, but there is another layer of depth that caught me off guard. The intimate warmth of the soundtrack, like the weightless smoke of a dying candle in a quiet room, lingers long after the end credits are over. Some of the songs really are beautiful enough to warrant this type of language, trust me. So do the memories of other musicians who left behind their timeless creations along with the shock and mystery of a lifetime cut short. Martyn Bennett and Jeff Buckley, however different the circumstances of their departure, come to mind.
Whenever an Indie movie finds the perfect balance between lighthearted, mainstream entertainment and the relatability of a smaller story and budget, it proofs that a solid Indie production can transcend the restrictions of a genre and touch the audience beyond 90 minutes of entertainment.
I couldn't think of a single studio produced movie in recent months that achieved 'Tumbledown's subtlety and depth with the same simplicity and grace. To proof my point, this movie would work even without the romance and succeed as a relevant reflection on grief and the responsibility of moving on.
Boring
michelle_kummer16 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This film was so boring! I am a big fan of Jason Sudeikis,Dianna Agron, Blythe Danner and of course Joe Manganiello who appears at the top of the cast list and is barely in the film. I have never been a fan of Rebecca Hall, i find her very unattractive and difficult to watch any film with her in it. How does she land these roles? In trivia it stated Rose Byrne was supposed to play the lead and pulled out.. smart move. This movie is so damn boring, no chemistry between Jason and Rebecca at all. As if he would leave the beautiful Dianna for Rebecca! There is no real plot, you don't even really know what happened to her husband. Stupid film!!! A waste of time, i kept waiting for it to get better and then it ended.
This movie is like Twilight without Vampires or excitement.
biglimpin8 September 2016
So there are undead in this movie,in the form of Hunter Miles a hipster musician who wrote one album which goes perfect with a Pabst blue ribbon. If you like this movie then you are in need of a viewing of Twilight where you will find every aspect of this movie presented in a much more entertaining way were something actually happens.There is no way to spoil what happens in this movie because now that I think of it nothing does happen at all. Save you time money and soul and read a book or listen to the radio with your time. Don't let anyone device you into watching this crap its trash. There isn't even enough that happens in this movie to keep on going in with this review. I thought something might happen so I watched until the end then I threw the remote at the TV.
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