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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unfolds beautifully . . . leaves you with a smile, October 31, 2003
Ok, I admit it. While most kids grew up sucking their thumbs, I was more interested in the ear. It had a soothing quality that would put me to sleep. Needless to say, when I read that this family had an ear fetish, I just had to see what this was all about. No, this movie is not just about sucking an earlobe that belongs to your husband's corpse, though I was laughing so hard during this scene, nor is it just another film trying to come across as artsy with an overdose of weirdness that just cannot seem to blend well. Instead we are presented with a rather strange and different story of a family and their haunting secrets. It captures a well deserved four stars. What was supposed to be a family reunion for the reading of the will, due to Jeremiah Sparta's (Martin Sheen)death, turns out to be a weekend that reveals just how little they all knew about each other. Seen mostly through the eyes of Jeremiah's grandson, who decides to be mute after being told to shut up, we see him interact with Jeremiah and his ancestors in the spirit world. They unload all the juicy tales of the past and it's quite fun to hear all the live folks' interpretation. After the will is read, this sets the stage for everyone's personal struggle with their haunting secrets. With solid performances and an engrossing script, you can't help but be drawn into everyone's life as you see all the anger, pain, jealousy and even an unquenchable fetish dissolve. Definitely a keeper. One you could watch again. Good sound and picture quality too.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a breath of fresh air, October 11, 2001
A wonderful film, by a talented (new?) writer/director. A well crafted, intimate portrait of an old Texas family, it's history, and the ghosts (literally & metaphorically) in the family closet. Fine performances all around. M. Sheem & Robert Patrick are SOLID. Refreshing change from the slick, impersonable films from hollywood these days. I look forward to future films by B. Herron.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Transcendent writing..., February 28, 2011
I just finished watching this movie (which I never heard of until I picked it up in a cheap Walmart bin) and I was so impressed that I rushed to my p.c. to write this review. Watch it. You will not be disappointed. The direction, photography and music are well done, and the actors perform beautifully. But the writing by W. Blake Herron is transcendent. The script is filled with lust, shame, flawed ancestors' ghosts, present challenges, and with hope for the future. Mr. Herron's poetical script touches on the profound, again and again.
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