User reviews

This indie, set in Pearl, Mississippi, has solid acting and believable characters, but evoked in me quite a lot of sadness. It moves along at its own deliberate pace, relies too much on flowery flashbacks, but is strangely enhanced by cuts to brief interviews with real locals of the area, who tell some harrowing personal stories.

Chris Zylka is quite solid in the lead role of Kermit, just released from prison after serving a 2 year stint. There's nothing new to the plot element that he's trying to go straight, but will be quickly lured back into one last job to help his neighbor and new girlfriend Rachel pay her mother's medical bills.

Riley Keough is excellent in the role of Rachel, and Faith Hill is superb as Kermit's sexy and free spirit mother Arietta. In supporting roles, Brad Carter is quite believable as the lowlife Larry Pretty, who's seeking revenge against Kermit, and Steve Earle adds well to the mix as Kermit's Uncle Randy.

All in all, although this movie written and directed by Hank Bedord, who's making his feature debut here, takes some predictable paths early on but it does have some twists and turns as it progresses, which I didn't guess were coming. The film gives the viewer a look at many lost souls who are ensconced in a cycle of poverty, drugs, violence, and family loyalties, often leading to incarceration. However, if one doesn't mind the deliberate pacing or the grimness and sadness, it can be worth a watch.

It was a low budget movie for sure but entertaining for what it's worth. I wish it didn't end like it did. Faith Hill was great of course. I hate when some reviewers bash other people's hard work and risk, but they themselves just play it safe all their life at a 9-5 and never take a risk or never subject themselves to creating anything because they are scared. Some people will relate to the movie and some won't, but that's just how it is. For what it's worth the sound track was pretty good (if you like hip hop). There were quite a few songs from a group called LOWC, and it's hard to believe it was made 20 years ago. http://www.lowcbigballin.com

How on earth did this movie ever earn a 5+ rating on this site is totally beyond me. If this isn't the worst movie of the year it's at least a top contender. If you are checking reviews to determine if you should watch this pathetic wanna be movie, disregard anyone who suggests this movie is decent.

Let me begin with the acting, I've seen better acting from a grade school production, in other words the acting stunk! How about the dialog? The dialog must of been written by a grade school drop-out. When I say nobody talks like that, trust me nobody does. Well then what about the story line you ask....there is no story line, oh wait, I guess if you like to watch unlikable losers smoke in every scene then I guess maybe there is a story line for you, for the rest of us who want substance, don't look here as there is none to be found.

I totally hated this movie, probably more so because some of the reviewers on this site actually thought this was a good movie and tricked me into watching it. WARNING!! Do not believe anyone who recommends any facet of this bore feast of a movie which by the way moves slower than a 3 legged turtle in quicksand.

When I watched this movie, I couldn't help but observe the romance in it. It's a very easy film to follow. Less crime, more drama. There's a quote that outlined: There comes a moment in your life when you have to decide whether you wanna sink or swim. This film is all about that.

It's very touching and beautiful. People who love crime love stories, would love this one too. Actress Riley Keough proved to be one the most talented actresses. She was brave to play her role of this silent and troubled character who had it very difficult. When it comes to the actor Chris Zylka, I can say that it was his first movie I watched. He played his role of this tough guy terrificuly. He knew about his character and I guess that's the reason he was so good at playing him. There's less action, more dialogues. One more thing I liked about this film was the message it carried. I highly recommend this film for mature audience.

The acting feels natural, they are all more or less believable in the parts they play so that's good.

The story isn't particularly original though and fairly predictable, although instead of going the Hollywood route and squeezing out every emotion of every event the movie stays in a natural and low-key.

If that's good or not is a matter of preference I suppose but in the end I didn't feel any emotional connection with any of the characters so that's where it fails IMO.

To further the feeling of realism in the movie they have the occasional interview segments with real Dixieland people talking about various things every 10 minutes or so, which I thought was an okay idea but they did it a little too often if you ask me.

This film tells the story of a man who is just released from jail in a small town. Though he promises to his mother that he will not mix with dubious peers and get into trouble with the law again, old habits die hard and things quickly spirals out of control.

That is what I think the story is about anyway. I find the plot very boring, and it is poorly told. What is the point of seemingly random interviews with people who are not related to the story such as the dancer with crooked teeth, and the very thin man with a tattoo on his abdomen? They do not form a part of the story, and I don't see why they are shown in the film. The plot is not engaging or thrilling either. I do not care about the characters, even though they are seemingly in mild danger. I find this film boring and less than engaging.

I really enjoyed Dixieland! It's the kind of movie that keeps getting better the deeper into the story you go and it will leave you wanting to watch until the very end! The love story between the two main characters (Kermit and Rachel) happens fairly fast, but that's how it goes in a small town. It's evident that Kermit has a big heart and wants to do what's right, but with his past history's and current situation not being ideal, it's hard for him to keep out of trouble. This is were a lot of authenticity of the movie comes in. Overall I would highly recommend this movie! Side note: Faith Hill was a great addition to this cast! She has some great acting skills!

I loved the movie, because it deals with a situation that many ex-cons deal with once released from prison. Faith played a convincing , caring mother. I felt all the actors played their roles well. I loved her sons desire to go straight and help his girlfriend out. it showed he had a heart and was a good kid inside, just faced challenges in the environment he was in. The same for his girlfriend, a good daughter in a bad situation and only could work with what she knew. I love the fact also that Faith is so versatile in acting and singing. I know some reviews thought it was a waste of her acting ability, but I saw the opposite. she was very convincing and her love and concern for her son came thru in her acting.

You don't see many films like this one. The documentary mixed in adds an interesting depth and candidness as do the flashbacks. The angles used during the filming are also really well done. Faith Hill is originally from this area of Mississippi and it seems like this role could really help relaunch her acting career. On that note, I was impressed by all of the acting performances and the directing in general. I'm not familiar with this director, but it seems like big things are in store down the road. You can take away a good lesson from this film and it inspires hope while also leaving you grounded. So to summarize this is a very unique film, but I highly recommend it.

Without a doubt, one of the subtlest, most real and visceral movies of the century. This film kicked my butt down the block. The dialog is genius, the acting is genius, the cinematography is genius.

A new dimension in cinema realism that echoes the revolutionary Italian neo-realism of the late 1940's. There is no proscenium with this film, no sense of stage. The story line is a baseball bat between the eyes. Meanwhile it sets a new standard, a new aesthetic.

For a "bad boy making good" film, it is low key, but an intense low key. No exploitation of paranoia. No textbook suspense tricks. No sense that the actors are acting. No need to suspend disbelief. The honesty of this film could earn a place at the Dogme 95 end of the spectrum. I'll be looking for Bedford's future work.

I noticed that movies and shows I like a lot are often written and directed by the same person. That level of control and continuity ensures a story that's true to the author's intention. It certainly works with this film. This is one of those small screen gems that I enjoy immensely—well crafted and acted with a somewhat unpredictable plot.

You would think that inter-cutting the film with real life interviews would distract from the dramatic momentum, but that's not the case here. The short documentary type interviews inserted at intervals actually inform the unfolding drama —we realize by the end that those interviews are actually the foundation of the film.

This film was lovingly put together: the acting, the cinematography and the music all come together artfully, resulting in an authenticity that has left me thinking about the real life people caught in an unfortunate cycle of poverty, drugs, and crime.

Great movie!!! Good work everyone who worked on this! Acting was great, the style of the filming, everything!! Loved it! I cried at the end such a great story and teaches a great lesson as well!! After I saw it, I went and told almost everyone I know to check it out ha-ha too good to not share with everyone!! One of my favorite things about the film is how they had flashbacks and people with real life experiences with drugs, jail, etc. this is a movie I would take my friends to see in the theater and that I would buy as well! I love how it's very different than most love stories/movies as well. Everyone did a wonderful job portraying their characters and putting all of this together to make this movie happen!! I really hope this movie does great!!!

I loved the way this film interspersed interviews from local people during this movie. It gave such a sneak peek into the real lives of people who often have no hope - their lives are often just a representation of their families and their situations. The chemistry between Kermit and Rachel was so sweet and moving. And even though some may say it is a tired old story, it was not! Faith Hill also made an outstanding performance as the mother in this movie. The cast assimilated by this small budget film was amazing. Brad Carter was dynamic! and Steve Earle, Spencer LoFranco and Mick Foley topped it all off.

I thought the director did a great job writing and directing his first film. It has to be awesome to realize your dream!

I saw this film for the first time last week and I loved it! I was very impressed with not only the actors but the choice of actors for each role. Faith Hill was a natural as the Mom and let's not forget about Steve Earl who was PERFECT for his role! The location couldn't have been better especially with the small town locals revealing their real life stories during the film. It was the prefect way to represent how any normal person can end up with a lifestyle only they can be proud of from wanting more in a dead end town that can't provide. Great touch to the movie! This movie entertained me as well as informed me and you don't always get both out of a movie. The soundtrack was incredible and the closing song gave me chills. I was left wanting more...

This is a good film. It kept my attention and is an interesting take on a love story which is destined for destruction from the beginning. The way it is shot is compelling and the use of lighting within certain scenes really contributes to an almost drunken romance feeling and gives a feeling of their lives being blurred by each other. The actors portray their characters well and show depth. In a sense it reminded me of the film 'True romance' by Quentin Tarrantino, where the love struck characters are doomed by each other. A good film, and a great take on romantic cinema. The lead actors Chris Zylka and Riley Keough are well suited to their roles. Having never seen any of their previous work I would be inclined to watch a movie with either of their names in.