102 reviews
So. They set up the characters really well. Super engaging scenes that makes you learn about all of them. They open a ton of threads about all of them in subtle, natural ways, plus relationships between some of them...
And then all ends in a few sequences in a non-climax. I honestly believe they thought they could film for more time in a two hour film, they were noticed that wasn't going to be the case, and rewrote the end so they could at least sell the movie.
Having said that, the acting and script of the good parts (2/3) of the movie was so good that I couldn't give this movie less than a six...
And then all ends in a few sequences in a non-climax. I honestly believe they thought they could film for more time in a two hour film, they were noticed that wasn't going to be the case, and rewrote the end so they could at least sell the movie.
Having said that, the acting and script of the good parts (2/3) of the movie was so good that I couldn't give this movie less than a six...
- educallejero
- Aug 4, 2018
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- NoPantsBatman
- Dec 8, 2017
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Pros:
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)
Direction 7/10 (Jamie Dagg made a good dark Neo-Noir/Neo Western thriller)
Cinematography 7/10
Jon Bernthal 7/10
Christopher Abbott 8/10 (Really convincing as a psycho character... scary convincing!)
Cons:
Actually I found no important weaknesses in this movie.
Nice movie. 7/10 by me.
- Vlasios_Tzomos
- Jun 29, 2018
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- Red-Barracuda
- Jun 26, 2017
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This movie is stocked with great actors and great plot ideas that just never come together. Bernthal is great but even his character is a bit flimsy with a lot of unanswered details about his past looming over the viewer. The action in the film is great and you'll be engaged, but you'll be wishing there was more character development to really pull things together.
- Megan_Shida
- Dec 27, 2017
- Permalink
Greetings again from the darkness. Murders-for-hire evidently have a better success rate in real life than in movies, because cinematically speaking, they usually result in quite the mess for all involved (and some who aren't). Fresh off the 2012 Black List for best unproduced scripts, the screenplay from twin brothers Benjamin China and Paul China offers up a neo-noir with a familiar enough premise in a not-so-familiar setting.
Director Jamie M Dagg offers little chance for us to settle in, as a violent and seemingly senseless triple murder occurs within the first few minutes. We get our Bang Bang, with the Kiss Kiss soon to follow. The usually friendly game of poker among friends goes south quickly thanks to Elwood (Christopher Abbott, IT COMES AT NIGHT), a stranger in town. We soon enough learn that he is in town on "business", and now that the job is done, he expects to be paid.
Elwood not-so-patiently awaits his pay day while staying at the Sweet Virginia Motor Motel. It's a simple inn inherited by, and now run by, Sam Rossi (Jon Bernthal) – a former rodeo star who these days battles multiple physical issues with pain dulled only by his morning weed ritual, and an ongoing affair with one of the ladies recently widowed by the Elwood's gun. Sam is shaggy looking, mellow and quite a pleasant fellow who seems like many in this quite small Alaska town living here for the solitude and anonymity.
Imogen Poots plays Lila, and Rosemarie DeWitt plays Bernadette. Their unhappy marriages of 3 and 18 years respectively have ended abruptly, and while neither is much into grieving, they both have new problems with which to deal. There is an unusually scarce police presence given that a triple homicide of local citizens has just occurred, but the focus here is on the four main characters, and especially on the two men.
Elwood is exceedingly high-strung and prone to violent outbursts, while Sam is congenial to all, and generous with his time and advice to local high schooler and motel employee Maggie (Odessa Young). To ensure that no viewer is left behind, there is a diner scene that emphasizes the polar opposite personalities of Elwood and Sam. Rather than pack the intended punch, it mostly just comes across as obvious and unnecessary. And that in a nutshell, is what keeps the film from being a bit more intriguing.
While there is not a lot of excess talking, death hovers over most scenes and conversations. The connection between Sam and Elwood marks the sometimes easy bond of strangers, while the fractured marriages of Lila and Bernadette show how character flaws are unveiled over time. Jessica Lee Gagne's cinematography and the slow pacing to match the setting are both to be admired, but the film lacks any type of artistic or stylish differentiation, and relies solely on the fine performances of the cast. It's certainly no BLOOD SIMPLE or HELL OR HIGH WATER, but it's interesting enough to hold attention for 90 minutes despite the mess being all cleaned up and tidy by the end.
Director Jamie M Dagg offers little chance for us to settle in, as a violent and seemingly senseless triple murder occurs within the first few minutes. We get our Bang Bang, with the Kiss Kiss soon to follow. The usually friendly game of poker among friends goes south quickly thanks to Elwood (Christopher Abbott, IT COMES AT NIGHT), a stranger in town. We soon enough learn that he is in town on "business", and now that the job is done, he expects to be paid.
Elwood not-so-patiently awaits his pay day while staying at the Sweet Virginia Motor Motel. It's a simple inn inherited by, and now run by, Sam Rossi (Jon Bernthal) – a former rodeo star who these days battles multiple physical issues with pain dulled only by his morning weed ritual, and an ongoing affair with one of the ladies recently widowed by the Elwood's gun. Sam is shaggy looking, mellow and quite a pleasant fellow who seems like many in this quite small Alaska town living here for the solitude and anonymity.
Imogen Poots plays Lila, and Rosemarie DeWitt plays Bernadette. Their unhappy marriages of 3 and 18 years respectively have ended abruptly, and while neither is much into grieving, they both have new problems with which to deal. There is an unusually scarce police presence given that a triple homicide of local citizens has just occurred, but the focus here is on the four main characters, and especially on the two men.
Elwood is exceedingly high-strung and prone to violent outbursts, while Sam is congenial to all, and generous with his time and advice to local high schooler and motel employee Maggie (Odessa Young). To ensure that no viewer is left behind, there is a diner scene that emphasizes the polar opposite personalities of Elwood and Sam. Rather than pack the intended punch, it mostly just comes across as obvious and unnecessary. And that in a nutshell, is what keeps the film from being a bit more intriguing.
While there is not a lot of excess talking, death hovers over most scenes and conversations. The connection between Sam and Elwood marks the sometimes easy bond of strangers, while the fractured marriages of Lila and Bernadette show how character flaws are unveiled over time. Jessica Lee Gagne's cinematography and the slow pacing to match the setting are both to be admired, but the film lacks any type of artistic or stylish differentiation, and relies solely on the fine performances of the cast. It's certainly no BLOOD SIMPLE or HELL OR HIGH WATER, but it's interesting enough to hold attention for 90 minutes despite the mess being all cleaned up and tidy by the end.
- ferguson-6
- Nov 13, 2017
- Permalink
The score of the film is great creates the perfect atmosphere, the performances of all the actors individually are very good and it's a very good but very short slow burn. Despite that when it all comes together the end result and overall story just doesn't feel worth it despite the majority of individual components working very well together it just came out a bit average. I doubt I'll remember having watched it in a few years time but it certainly wasn't bad. Just okay.
- muamba_eats_toast
- Apr 20, 2020
- Permalink
- MongoLloyd
- Nov 16, 2017
- Permalink
Sweet Virginia is a low budget indie film. The pace is slow but the film is well made and well acted. Characters should of been developed more but otherwise a good film.
- elliotjeory
- Dec 2, 2018
- Permalink
The problem that eclipses everything else in this film is the horrible lighting - an overdone effect. I understand - and appreciate - the unnatural darkness that some directors like to use to set the theme. But in this film, the consequences are very negative.
The worst part was where the antagonist and an arbitrary hired helper break in to a house to steal money. The actions that follow between these two individuals and the occupant of the house were impossible for me to discern and could only be guessed at from subsequent developments. This spoiled the film completely for me, as I regard it as a crucial event.
Other than that fatal flaw, the rest of the story earns an "okay enough" rating from me. Everything else that happened in the dark was simply dialogue (or sex), so no further guessing was required. Nothing special developed, Berenthal delivers one surprise in the result in an altercation with a motel guest but everything else proceeds entirely predictably. Predictability is not always a bad thing and I'm sure that many viewers will be satisfied with the outcome.
Incidentally, the "relationship" between the protagonist and antagonist, as described in the summary and a few reviews, is completely exaggerated. The superficial representation of a couple of brief interactions between these two makes this alleged relationship of very little importance in the story.
Still, the cast did very well with the material they were given, so no fault of theirs - and they deserve full credit for saving the director from abject failure.
The worst part was where the antagonist and an arbitrary hired helper break in to a house to steal money. The actions that follow between these two individuals and the occupant of the house were impossible for me to discern and could only be guessed at from subsequent developments. This spoiled the film completely for me, as I regard it as a crucial event.
Other than that fatal flaw, the rest of the story earns an "okay enough" rating from me. Everything else that happened in the dark was simply dialogue (or sex), so no further guessing was required. Nothing special developed, Berenthal delivers one surprise in the result in an altercation with a motel guest but everything else proceeds entirely predictably. Predictability is not always a bad thing and I'm sure that many viewers will be satisfied with the outcome.
Incidentally, the "relationship" between the protagonist and antagonist, as described in the summary and a few reviews, is completely exaggerated. The superficial representation of a couple of brief interactions between these two makes this alleged relationship of very little importance in the story.
Still, the cast did very well with the material they were given, so no fault of theirs - and they deserve full credit for saving the director from abject failure.
Overall this isn't a bad a movie; it's good, but not great. It's certainly worth the hour and a half you'd spend watching it. Cool ideas and themes, some gripping action, and some decent performances (for the most part) make this film passable. It may be predictable, but it sure isn't boring.
- truemythmedia
- Jun 13, 2019
- Permalink
I was enjoying this movie until the abrupt, unclimactic, uncreative end. So maddening! My fiance and i sat here for like 5 minutes afterwards coming up with different endings that would have been better...did the writer just give up? Was he bored too? Ugh.
- alyssafflovex
- Oct 7, 2018
- Permalink
This is a dark movie about "for hire" killing gone bad. It has a visual style that matches it's dark, dreary town somewhere in Alaska. Imogen Potts is no stranger to dark films, having co-starred In The Art of Self-Defense, and she is good in this one as the catalyst for the plot. Jon Bernthal is amazingly natural and compelling in the role of the retired rodeo star that takes up managing his deceased brother's hotel. Christopher Abbott is good as the psychotic man whose life is interwoven into this story. Regardless, I can't help but think that he is the weakest link here. The film has some riveting and surprising moments event though it is slowly paced. The characters are very human and flawed. This is worth watching.
- tkdlifemagazine
- Aug 27, 2021
- Permalink
In a cinematic world of generic superhero movies and cardboard franchise bollocks one should be grateful that someone is still making solid dramatic work.
For an audience used to a huge CGI action sequence ever 15 minutes Sweet Virginia might seem laboured but the quiet time is spent building three dimensional real world characters. It's also slowly building tension until the Chekhov's gun moment.
Great performances all round, solid direction, moody cinematography and terse script. My only criticisms are it's a little too dark, the dialogue is often inaudible and maybe a few notes of dark humour wouldn't go amiss. But still well worth 90 minutes of your time.
For an audience used to a huge CGI action sequence ever 15 minutes Sweet Virginia might seem laboured but the quiet time is spent building three dimensional real world characters. It's also slowly building tension until the Chekhov's gun moment.
Great performances all round, solid direction, moody cinematography and terse script. My only criticisms are it's a little too dark, the dialogue is often inaudible and maybe a few notes of dark humour wouldn't go amiss. But still well worth 90 minutes of your time.
- RobTortureWright
- Jun 4, 2020
- Permalink
- nogodnomasters
- Nov 25, 2017
- Permalink
Dark movie. Literally. Even during the daytime, it's dark. Lost track of which characters were doing what because it was so dark. And also, speak up!!! Right from the beginning, I could not hear what these actors were saying. And some scenes that should've been done in a quick 30 seconds or one minute tops took 2 or 3 minutes long.
- joey_isham
- Feb 1, 2020
- Permalink
When Crime goes wrong could be a different title. This movie is not flashy though. There is violence, there is quite a lot of Drama, but I guess some might think there is a lot more to this or rather, there could be a lot more to this. It's still quite low and slow and far from out there.
The pacing fits the acting and the overall storytelling. If you let yourself into that mood you will watch a movie that is worth it. If it is not your cup of tea, you will be annoyed and maybe even bored. As some reviews have shown here. It is like this with (almost) every movie. Love it or hate it, the quality is there and the story arc holds up
The pacing fits the acting and the overall storytelling. If you let yourself into that mood you will watch a movie that is worth it. If it is not your cup of tea, you will be annoyed and maybe even bored. As some reviews have shown here. It is like this with (almost) every movie. Love it or hate it, the quality is there and the story arc holds up
The cast is good, the settings are correct and even cinematography. But what is a great downgrade here is the non original script. You know what is going to happen. Pretty predictable. But the worst is the ending. Just embarrassing. Are you serious?
So, overall pretty unrealistic movie. A wasted opportunity because of the great cast.
- danielcereto
- Sep 7, 2020
- Permalink
This movie sure was well worth my time. A decent thriller drama, the villain in this movie did an exemplary performance, certainly award winning.
If you like slow burn thrillers that gets into your skin and makes you want to guess the next scene, this is for you.
If you like slow burn thrillers that gets into your skin and makes you want to guess the next scene, this is for you.
Nothing great but worth watching once the actors are all excellent and the story is good to very good. I like where they filmed it nice small town America feel to it, as well as all the characters they have that rural America feel to them. Different for the actor from walking dead he was the star of the movie the villian was excellent as well. Like I said it's worth a watch.
If you watch this film, be sure to have subtitles available because the actors constantly mumble their lines. It is beyond annoying. Jon Berenthal sleepwalks as if sedated with a massive dose of thorazine. The rest of the cast seem a little bit less asleep. The story is not all that interesting and in the end I just did not care in the least what happened to anyone in the movie. The only saving grace is the short ninety minute running time. I can usually stick with crime stories that have a sense of humor. Sweet Virginia has no wit or wisdom within the script. There is no reason whatsoever to watch this snooze fest.
Steady movie.. good acting.. but it's all a bit slow and dull really.. yes there's moments of action and violence, but it just never really delivers..
I might be a little generous here but it wasn't as bad many would have you believe. The characters are great, the acting is great, and the cinematography is too. I agree that the movie felt short, like it skipped ahead and ended rather abruptly. The first hour was really good and villain was terrifying. I'm not exactly going to run out and tell all my friends but I'm not that disappointed either.
I enjoyed it because it was a easy to follow film. Jon Bernthal was really good as you'd expect. The reason it got a 6 from me is because it just lacked that little twist or just something a little extra. Like the ending was Abit lacklustre if it just had something a little bit extra it could easily be an 8/9 film
- nathanmanson
- Feb 28, 2020
- Permalink