Rudderless (2014)

A different way of telling a story

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

We've all experienced it... we see a good film but there are a couple of elements that seem out of place, or just kinda clunky in an otherwise very cogent effort... and there we are cheering it on... be great, we want you to be great... oh, don't do the obvious thing... don't go pedestrian on me! What could have been a four star movie we subconsciously demote. In the case of Rudderless, it teeters on the brink of a fall quite a few times, but in those moments when it finds its direction and steers straight, it shines brilliantly.Actor William H. Macy - has been entertaining us for decades in films like - Fargo, Pleasantville, Mystery Men and the US copy of the British TV series Shameless, very often providing a lift to an otherwise under performing movie. Here his role is small but he takes on a bigger task - lending a hand in polishing the script and directing the film.And there's a lot of responsibility on on his shoulders with this delicate tale about loss and the often very bumpy road to healing.Billy Crudup plays Sam, an advertising suit who clearly makes a lot of money helping other people in suits sell things to people who probably can't afford suits.He arranges to meet his amateur song writing College Student son to celebrate a big dollar deal but the son doesn't arrive.Dad's a bit annoyed but then discovers why Junior was a no show. The reason? A mass shooting on a College Campus.Cue Sam's not coping and "downward spiraling life montage" with too much drinking and kitchen sink full of dirty dishes... you get the idea... leads to Sam dropping out and living on a boat, not wearing suits and significantly lowering his personal grooming standards.To this point the film has felt pretty ordinary, in fact a tad clichéd, but Sam's rudderless existence is lifted out of tele movie of the week territory and into a very respectable, thoughtful, mid-shelf indi space.They say in classic story telling the hero has to reach his lowest point to be able to change... and the catalyst for Sam's change comes in the form of a box of demo recordings - songs made by his son.Sam begins playing some songs at a local bar's "open mic night" where he is spotted by a quiet young man, Quentin, played by Anton Yelchin. Quentin suggests Sam expands his solo act to a duo... and then even a little more. Why? He sees great value in the songs Sam is performing.I've read some comments that suggest Rudderless looses it's direction in the middle act but I disagree entirely - I find this middle act of the film the most engaging... And the most real... from the point Sam and Quentin meet I'm on a journey of discovery, totally in the moment, WITH these guys, transcending the earlier part of the film where I was just sort of passively observing and being fed the set-up.The developing relationship between the emotionally scattered Sam and the introspective Quentin is beautifully played. Yelchin, in particular, is an delight and we begin to see Crudup come into his stride as a caring side of Sam emerges and Quentin becomes, at times, a sort of surrogate son to Sam.The original songs are great (I had the soundtrack on my i-pod playing on loop for two weeks!). Tuneful with intelligent lyrics that cleverly relate to the developing character relationships... There are even a few hints about a big secret in the plot that you likely won't pick up on a first viewing, and that's fine, just go along for the ride, but a second time around you might spot the Easter eggs in the song lyrics.Just to clarify, it's not a musical where the characters spontaneously burst into song to express their thoughts and feelings, the songs are what the band performs, but having this additional layer of comment and insight, via the lyrics, gives the music a real purpose, operating on two levels.The fact that the band really are the guys you see on screen - that's them playing and singing - is a huge plus. I liked the music so much I wanted to find out where they were playing their next gig and get a prime spot in the mosh pit! Now, I did mention there were bumpy bits that, to me, diminished a potentially great film...=== SPOILERS AHEAD === My main disappointment is the character played by Selena Gomez. She pops up providing an information dump then disappears until her next scheduled information dump. I wanted to see the character integrated into the film rather than just appearing like the Ghost of Christmas Past to be an annoyance to Sam.The big "ooh ahh" reveal moment regarding the Son, is it all trick-or treat-a-bility and a little ingenuine? To be debated by those who have seen the film.Laurence Fishburne's character, the music shop owner, feels like a clumsy convenience for some green guitar plot developments that feel often perfunctory and mechanical.Then there's the ending, the, "Lets wrap it all up in a visual montage where everyone gets what they want"... I was thinking, "No, don't go there! This film is potentially much, much, better than a pat ending wrapped up in a cheesy bow!" but you know what? It works really, really well and it's not an avalanche of cheap sentiment at all.By the end has Sam found his salvation through truth and music? How many steps closer is he to finding his very personal Nirvana?

It's rare these days I see a movie this well written AND acted. William H. Macy has directed and co-written an intelligent, beautiful and thought-provoking film. I've enjoyed Billy Crudup as an actor for many years and he did not let me down in this film. I love actors that can sweep you away from reality, if only for a few hours. Actors that do what they do so well you forget you're watching a film and become engrossed in their every move and word. Billy Crudup does that, and he does that in this film without flaw. Anton Yelchin, who normally is someone I just tolerate in a film, adds the magic that takes this film over the top and makes it something special and not just another film. This movie has everything; great acting, great music - great story and a great twist at the end. William H. Macy has proved again how talented of an individual he truly is. A great movie! I highly recommend it!

While at times it threatens to become a little too lathered in cheese and schmaltz, William H. Macy's debut directional effort Rudderless gets by on a fairly unique idea and enough heart and humour to carry this tale of loss, grief, redemption and music through to a satisfactory and untraditional conclusion.Imbuing his film with the persona and comedic timing that has made him one of the industry's most well respected and most recognisable character actors, Macy shows himself to be quite the story telling craftsman here especially concerning Rudderless's narrative arc that at a mid-way point takes an unexpected and loaded turn that makes a somewhat fuzzy first half become a lot more tolerable in hindsight.Front and centre in this study of a man grieving the loss of his son in a college shooting is Billy Crudup and actor well known for sadly never reaching the potential he so clearly has within and it's safe to his turn as one time high roller now painter for hire Sam is one of his best, not only of recent times but in his career. Alongside both Watchmen and Big Fish, Rudderless will be an extra enjoyable experience for Crudup fans and he both convinces in his musical moments, his emotionally loaded moments and his comedic timing and it's great to see the actor take a role on and nail it.It's arguable the Crudup is the main reason to sink your teeth into Rudderless and it's a wise move that Macy chose to plant him in almost all of the films scenes as when he takes a back seat Rudderless's flaws are more glaring right down from some questionable leaps of story progressions through to unbelievable side players like Laurence Fishburne's kindly music story owner Del.Rudderless will be enjoyed more with the least amount of pre-knowledge possible and while it never hits a perfect note between drama and comedy, this is a Hallmark like movie that transcends its weaknesses and becomes a likable if forgettable music filled drama.3 ruined regatta's out of 5

A perfect example of its type. This film achieves everything it sets out to do.It's important to point out that this is a small film. It's about relatively ordinary people living ordinary lives. Music scenes mostly happen in a tiny bar in front of a tiny audience, and that's fine, because that local intimacy is what drives the movie.Billy Crudup is front and center in almost every scene. Great singing, good acting, and nearly perfect as a man trapped in a father's worst nightmare. The key to his performance here is the empathy he creates with the audience: he is very far from a perfect, or even particularly likable human being, but you feel for the guy in every scene. No matter what he's doing - he pretty much is the neighbor from hell - his pain shows through.The supporting cast turn in solid work. Anton Yelchin pulls off something of a character transformation in the movie, albeit quietly. Felicity Huffman is calmly competent as ever, and Lawrence Fishburne is a welcome surprise, bringing with him a much needed leavening of humour.Macy's direction is utterly competent. Low-key yet assured, deceptively simple, it's movie storytelling at its best. Macy lets the story unfold in its own way and in its own time. This is a rare skill, to say the least: events never feel forced, scenes never seem to jump, and everything plays true. It's direction that the audience never notices, because it never puts a foot wrong.The surprise star here, though, is the writing. Macy, Casey Twenter, and Jeff Robinson are credited, and between them they manage to spin quite the tale. It might be small, it might be local, but it twists and turns right up until the last scene. Like the direction, the writing never puts a foot wrong.The music is fantastic. Definitely a film for music buffs. It's very much in the vein of Once and Begin Again, where the melody and rhythm carry the song. If it can sound great with a voice and a guitar, then it can sound even better with a band.Overall, a great little film for grown-ups, and thoroughly recommended.