Plot
When motocross and heavy metal obsessed thirteen-year-old Jacob's increasing delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother, Wes, with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent... See full summary »
Release Year: 2014
Rating: 7.7/10 (288 voted)
Critic's Score: 53/100
Director: Kat Candler
Stars: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins
Storyline
When motocross and heavy metal obsessed thirteen-year-old Jacob's increasing delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother, Wes, with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent father, Hollis, must finally take responsibility for their actions and for each other in order to bring Wes home.
Cast: Aaron Paul -
Hollis Wilson
Juliette Lewis -
Pam
Josh Wiggins -
Jacob Wilson
Augustine Frizzell -
Deke Garner -
Wes Wilson
Jonny Mars -
Duncan
Annalee Jefferies -
Fran
David Maldonado -
Parole Officer
Jason Newman -
Brent Smiga -
Wayman Williams
Sarah Jane Sanders -
Bar Patron
Corby Sullivan -
Officer Gardner
Richard C. Jones -
Bartender
Dylan Cole -
Hyder
Walt Roberts -
Officer Handley
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 13 June 2014
Technical Specs
Runtime:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 7/10
Greetings again from the darkness. This is the perfect Film Festival
movie: low budget, recognizable star trying something new, up and
coming director, and potential star in the making newcomer. While it
has an air of familiarity, there was enough here to make it one of my
favorites from the 2014 Dallas International Film Festival.
Writer/director Kat Candler has a definite feel for creating real
moments for characters, as she expands her 2012 short to feature
length. She was also wise enough to nab cinematographer Brett Pawlak,
who did such a great job with Short Term 12 (one of my top six films of
2013). The blue collar life gets a twist here as Aaron Paul (on top of
the world after "Breaking Bad") plays an alcoholic,
emotionally-distant, grieving widower having to deal with his two sons
when he can barely make it through a day. This is certainly a different
kind of role for Mr. Paul, and he shows real depth with minimal
dialogue.
As impressive as Paul is, the real find here is young Josh Wiggins as
Jacob. It's his first screen role and he absolutely owns the role of
the big brother lashing out at his dad, corrupting his little brother
(due to jealousy) and dealing with things that kids his age shouldn't
have to. Not to give away much, but one too many incidents leads to a
visit from Child Protective Services, and just like that ... the family
is torn apart again.
The real guts of the story is the parallel paths of father and son as
they react to the displacement of little Wes (Deke Garner). Neither
seems to fully accept the role they played in this mess, but both carry
sorrow and anger the way males often do. Both pursue their own idea of
proving something to Wes and to themselves - in very different ways.
Juliette Lewis seems a bit out of place as Paul's sister, and is the
only minor misstep in the script. We needed either more on her, or
less.
Rural Texas and the challenges of youth are captured through so many
details, and the realistic feel of dialogue and setting certainly
stands out here ... as does the spot on camera work. This is one of the
little movies I am really rooting for, because if it gets a chance,
many will share my appreciation.
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