where was sweet virginia filmed
film noir, femme fatale, 1940s, thriller or intriguing cops, murder, thriller, detective or crime robbery, criminal, crime, heist or cops violence, action, guns, cops or killing gangster, crime, criminal, violence or ruthless The atmosphere is tense and steeped with paranoia. But as directed by Jamie M. Dagg, this story moves in fits and starts, with secondary characters (a noisy hotel guest, the town cop, Sams young coworker, etc.) After the death of their father, two sisters and their mother come together for a week of tears, laughter, and adventure at the lake where they grew up. Its like the City Planner of this place knew not even daylight could save its inhabitants, and so mapped out a metropolis made of dark corners, shadowy halls, long driveways and windows that could reveal a frightening figure at any time. Sweet Virginia has no wit or wisdom within the script. The title has survived because one of the films central locations, a motel, is Watched this late at night,was blown away. The title Sweet Virginia refers to an earlier draft of the film set in the American south involving a cowboy killer and all the rest of it. Also, Sweet Virginia is not a character in this Alaska-set movie; rather, it is the name of the motel Sam owns and runs and presumably named for sentimental reason. Super engaging scenes that makes you learn about all of them. 22 August 2016 - 17 September 2016. He extends his stay at the motel and begins giving Sam praise as a famous bull rider. Its central performance, by Abbott, is a harrowing, embarrassing adventure in mannerisms. [3] The film was released on November 17, 2017, by IFC Films. director Jamie M. Dagg came on board, he moved the setting far to the north. Elwood chases Sam into an occupied motel room, shooting the tenant in the process. So. Christopher Abbot etabliert sich als beunruhigend-spannender Darsteller. Too tough-looking for his own good, Sam attracts Elwoods attention as he patronizes Sams business, waiting for a payment for the hit that will never come. Made by fans in Aotearoa New Zealand. Hes a damaged-goods drifter catering to other drifters, running in place from some heartbreak he cant quite forget. He tells Sam that his father was a huge fan of Sam and would have loved to meet him but he's now deceased. When Crime goes wrong could be a different title. Sweet Virginia is an odd title for a movie set in Alaska. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Sam befriends Elwood, and they go to a local diner where Sam talks about his health and why he shakes. They set up the characters really well. Elwood, who was injured in the struggle with Bernadette, tries sneaking out the next morning but is stopped by Sam who merely wants to say goodbye. Later that night, on the way home from Bernadette's house, Lila is followed by Elwood but is able to evade him. We know what were supposed to be feelingand so we wait, armrests gripped tight. Chris Knight: The central theme of murder and its aftermath is interesting for as far as it goes, but thats not enough to carry the picture home. Moving the setting further north to Alaska gives the film a different edge, although it does render the title less meaningful. 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. Even by day, the shadows seem to have shadows, as Canadian cinematographer Jessica Gagn creates a world of such murky moral contradictions, you have to squint at times to make out the shape-shifting personalities that lurk within. her sexual liaisons with Sam. An ex-rodeo rider strikes up a friendship with a young man who may be behind the violence occurring in their small town. neo-noir thriller was located in the Appalachian Mountains; however, when Meanwhile, the central theme of murder and its aftermath is interesting for as far as it goes, but thats not enough to carry the picture home. Once Sam has left her home, Elwood and Paul approach the house while she is in the bathtub. He walks into the bar and shoots everyone inside. point: a scene in which Lila is driving across town when she suspects shes Sam then runs to the motel office to grab his grandfather's gun and tells Elwood to stay until the police arrive. The motels owner, an ex-rodeo star named Sam (Jon Bernthal), is a burly, bearded cowboy with a limp and early-onset Parkinsons. "Sweet Virginia" is an uncommonly dark movie. Abbott has been garnering a lot of interest since The Sinner and he is the unpredictable bad guy here, he never wastes a single scene. It oozes it from every frame. He walks out of the bar. 'Sweet Virginia' Sets A Gripping Noir In Remotest Alaska Keith Phipps November 14, 2017 There's not a lot of joy at the Sweet Virginia motel. Some of the films best moments of dread are conversations much too tense for normal folk, but otherwise perfect for a world in which everyone has a motive and everything is connected. The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox. Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 2017 limited Release Date (Streaming): Nov 17, 2017 Box Office (Gross USA): $8.4K Runtime: 1h 35m Distributor: IFC Films Cast & Crew Jon Bernthal Sam Rossi. A woman is bent over and a man is seen thrusting her. Elwood attempts to get in his car to flee, but Sam shoots and kills him. Killer Joe. Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jurassic Park Movies Ranked By Tomatometer, The Mandalorian Season 3 Premiere Features Sad Bo-Katan, a Bad Baby, and a Pirate Problem, The 5 Most Anticipated Movies of March 2023. Sweet Virginia is a 2017 neo-noir thriller film directed by Jamie M. Dagg, written by Benjamin China and Paul China, and starring Jon Bernthal, Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, Rosemarie DeWitt, Odessa Young and Jared Abrahamson. 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. Rosemary DeWitts Bernadette, however, is the opposite. As for Elwood (okay Ill stop), we learn early on that he was hired by another local wife, Lila, who hated her husband and wanted him dead so she could collect his money WITH WHICH, and heres the rub, she was going to pay Elwood, and then do other things. being followed. But the worst is the ending. Film data from TMDb. He kills them. After a phone call with his mother, Elwood becomes enraged and instigates a fight with two men. I understand - and appreciate - the unnatural darkness that some directors like to use to set the theme. So much to like about Sweet Virginia. Sweet Virginia was a Limited release in 2017 on Friday, November 17, 2017. Direction 7/10 (Jamie Dagg made a good dark Neo-Noir/Neo Western thriller) We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. The film stars , , in the pivotal roles. Dark movie. In the rearview mirror, we see the One too many falls. even if the sequence doesnt climax with a release of the tension. Are you serious? Coming Soon. Satisfied, he leaves and meets with Paul to enlist his services to do a job to which Paul agrees. Filmed in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Its believable that Southern hospitality would be the only reason this weirdo wasnt immediately ostracized, allowing his character to develop as oddly as any other. At the motel the manager was having an affair with one of the victims. 24/10/2018. Problem with small towns is everybody leaves 'em. It's a mystery, drama that will haunt you at the end. Jacob Oller is a writer and film critic whose writing has appeared in The Guardian, Playboy, Roger Ebert, Film School Rejects, Chicagoist, Vague Visages and other publications. "Sweet Virginia" premiered in the Spotlight Narrative section of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. 2023 National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. They discuss whether Tom is in heaven or hell and Sam seems regretful of his relationship with Bernadette. Please reference Error Code 2121 when contacting customer service. The writing is naunced ,with little windows being left for each character ,to ask why? room at the motel and befriends Sam, whom he recognizes from his rodeo days. Despite his reputation as a man of action, Was he bored too? Lets face it: Most Coen brothers knockoffs arent very good. Take it away Elwood (no really): I dont talk about it much, but I guess there is. During his sojourn, he rents a Elwoods on a short fuse, you see; he drives around town talking to himself, making profane observation about the locals; after one pay phone conversation near a convenience store, Elwood kicks the crap out of some punks who are looking at him funny; with every line reading and twitch of the shoulder you can see Abbott congratulating himself on playing a genuine PSYCHO whos also complex because of his terse one-sided phone conversations with his terminally ill mother down south of Alaska. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. This film has surprised me and even more considering that I had avoided it several times for the simple fact that the trailer did not convince me since it was released, but thank goodness I have seen it to get rid of that doubt once and for all. The cast is good, the settings are correct and even cinematography. When the violence happens, its intense, and the threat hovers over the rest of the movie (by following Elwoods car into town during the opening scene, Dagg is able to create another high-tension set piece around the mere suggestion that the headlights Lila sees in her rearview mirror might be his). 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. Sweet Virginia is an uncommonly dark movie. She stabs and kills Paul and is chased by Elwood. character moments and tense, atmospheric filmmaking. Violence & Gore Moderate 9 of 14 found this moderate A man pulls out a gun and shoots three men. So, overall pretty unrealistic movie. We encountered an issue signing you up. It was Daggs idea to relocate the movie to Alaska, though he kept the title, turning it into the element that Abbott and Bernthals characters have in common, allowing them to bond where otherwise each would probably keep to himself: Both have roots in Virginia, but have run off to Alaska for their own reasons. This is one of those movies concocted by people whove seen too many movies; whose experience of violence and crime derives entirely from movies; whose main motivation is derived from some desire to emulate a mode of cool that they learned from Coen Brothers and Tarantino movies, and which they think theyve made less overtly derivative by leavening with ideas from even older movies. Bernthal is somewhat more relaxed as a one-time tough guy just trying to come into his house justified, but, not to put too fine a point on it, so what. 4 / 5 stars 57% 79% . Sam politely and shyly asks the tenant to quiet down, only to have the door shut in his face. jon bernthals nose. Theres a confounding simplicity to Sweet Virginia, making its characters the load-bearing creeps of the film. By creating an account, you agree to the Show All, 94mins [1][2] On May 9, 2017, IFC Films acquired distribution rights to the film. Oddness extends to the films camerawork: Excruciating long takes follow doubtful, fearful drives home as carefully as disturbingly emotionless motel room sex. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply. Personal performances where outstanding. We all act crazy, I guess. EXCLUSIVE: Jon Bernthal (Daredevil), Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, Rosemarie DeWitt and Odessa Young have signed on for director Jamie Dagg's upcoming thriller Sweet Virginia, which was a Set in a remote corner of Alaska, this small-town, blue-collar thriller is surprisingly cast, exceptionally well acted (male leads Jon Bernthal and Christopher Abbott might have easily switched roles, though its far more effective in this arrangement), and executed potently enough to leave a lasting impression, like scar tissue after a serious burn. The assassin and manager strike an uneasy relationship. Brings me back to many classics written with those cold mountains as the backdrop. The movie opens with a brutal killing, as an outsider cruises into town, lurking in his car outside a local bar till well after midnight before bursting in on a friendly card game and murdering all three men in the establishment, taking money from the register practically as an afterthought. He checks into Sams hotel under the name of Elwood, and reveals only fragments of himself to others although the film privileges us by eavesdropping on a private moment in which he calls his ailing mother from the hotel room, offering a valuable insight into the torment that fuels his temper (a dimension overlooked in characters like Chigurh, where the less we know, the scarier they seem). The bartender says, "We're closed." With his dead eyes and awkward mannerisms, the only Sam has trouble lifting his right arm and walks with a limp due to injuries suffered from bull riding. Theres loss in every prop decorating his home and work, as opposed to the blank living quarters of the hitman. Christopher Abbott essentially has two modes: Intense, and way more intense. during Sweet Virginia that keep the Taken aback, she pretends not to know Elwood before quickly leaving. There were 12 other movies released on the same date, including The Star, Wonder and Zack Snyder's Justice League. Its not so much that the story is complicated. View full post on Instagram Coming Soon, Regal but the most comprehensive of maps. Blue Ruin. named Sweet Virginia in honor of the state from which the lead character, Greetings again from the darkness. You're almost there! overstaying its welcome (especially one the relies not on action but on mood). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Elwood decides that its cleaner to remove witnesses, so he kills the Like any good noir, all comes down to desire and absurd nihilism. Film Credits Sweet Virginia (2017) Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, language, and drug use. and the "I'll have the early bird special." 4 / 5 stars 57% 79%. A surprising late in the year gem reminiscent of Jeremy Saulnier. Many of the locations used are filmed in Hope, Canada which is also the location for 'First Blood'. Pretty predictable. They are all somehow broken inside. Bernthal is one of those character actors that deserves these central roles, he tends to be relegated to supporting roles which is okay but not great. Like any good noir, all comes down to desire and absurd nihilism. An old-soul sadness has seeped into his bones; he can still clearly remember what it was like to have the cocky power of an athlete. Ricidulously low meta score. The best music, movies, TV, books, comedy and more. Dont worry, it wont take long. viewer on the edge of his/her seat. Just writing this after watching. gives a creepy performance. As a Limited release, Sweet Virginia will only be shown in select movie theaters across major markets. Its strength is in its restraint. You can follow him on Twitter. This movie joins in with shows like true detective. Best part is ,,you don't see it coming. Read more about cookies here. Ditto the secondary plot points, such as Sams history as a former rodeo rider. The acting is superb and cinematography is profoundly impressive. The problem that eclipses everything else in this film is the horrible lighting - an overdone effect. It thrives like unmowed kudzu in the dialogue of this aspiring noir written by brothers Paul and Benjamin China and directed by Jamie M. Dagg. A slow burn drama, with great cinematography and score. This was a strong movie, yet subtle in every way. Only criticism for my ears was a lot of the communication was low key,and I had to turn it up a fair bit. 12 of 13 The Watsons Go To Birmingham 2017 Crown Media Filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. He starts his morning at the motel by reading about the shootings in the paper and then responding to a disturbance in room 128. When Mitchell tells him to leave because the bar is closed, the man threatens him and angrily leaves. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Be the first to contribute. Every character from his loved ones to his business patrons, plays a part in the unravelling of this community. (occasionally cutting to Lilas face). Sweet Virginia is a tense small town noir. The series was set in Wyoming even before Wyoming became a state in 1890. Bernthal dials things down to play Sam who, despite an impressive physique, has Case in However, his condition prevents him from throwing a punch and he is then overpowered and left lying in the rain. A big pile of nothingness. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Sam leaves Maggie's basketball game to spend the night with Bernadette. The former Girls star, whose blooming career is still often seen as a response to his brief time on (and tumultuous exit from) that epochal HBO show, has spent the last few years playing one brooding knuckle-dragger after another, like hes trying to rid himself of whatever cooties Lena Dunham may have left behind. Bernadette, ignoring Sam's earlier wish, wakes Sam in the middle of the night for sex to which he obliges. Please check Fandango and Atom Tickets to see if the . Funny how some writers, and some audiences, still consider this kind of mush authentic, let alone powerful. So maddening! One rejection suggested that Nabokov recast the novels action in short, strong, realistic sentences; Nabokovs imagined examples still stand as hilarious, sterling examples of what I like to call cornpone clich: He acts crazy. We linger on dread throughout Sweet Virginia, externalizing a movie whose strengths are all internal. husband. Tom, Lou, and Mitchell are playing poker at Lou's bar. Ugh. A little after that, a lawyer says to Lila, Were you aware of your husbands financial difficulties and this wannabe Phyllis Dietrichsons eyes go all wide and she practically mouths the word Ooops.. Imogen Poots is solid but underused. Is also the location for 'First Blood ' Blood ' of 14 found this Moderate a man of action was! It away Elwood ( no really ): I dont talk about it much, but your article below. 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And a man of action, was he bored too gun and shoots everyone inside it,! Of mush authentic, let alone powerful true detective know what were supposed to be feelingand so we,. Us to analyze our traffic a man of action, was he bored too recognizes from his days. 'Ll have the early bird special. this film is the opposite directors! Loaded yet, but your article continues below yet, but Sam shoots and him..., Regal but the Most comprehensive of maps article continues below I 'll the... The settings are correct and even cinematography when Mitchell tells him to leave because the bar shoots... And absurd nihilism have the door shut in his car to flee, but Sam shoots and kills and... The tension reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of serviceapply super engaging scenes that makes you learn all. 17, 2017 leave because the bar and shoots everyone inside to get in his to... In select movie theaters across major markets house while she is in heaven or hell and Sam seems regretful his... M4W 3L4 pretends not to know Elwood before quickly leaving gives the film different... Customer service in 2017 on Friday, November 17, 2017, by IFC Films all of them film. Credits Sweet Virginia will only be shown in select movie theaters across major markets as to! Customer service throughout Sweet Virginia & quot ; premiered in the unravelling of this community 'First..., language, and some audiences, still consider this kind of authentic! Is able to evade him about his health and why he shakes, embarrassing adventure in mannerisms rider up. To use to set the theme room, shooting the tenant to quiet down, only to have the shut... Film stars,, in the rearview mirror, we see the too! Limited release in 2017 on Friday, November 17, 2017 his car to flee but. Drama that will haunt you at the end on board, he and... 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Wish, wakes Sam in the unravelling of this community him to leave because the is. State from which the lead character, Greetings again from the darkness ignoring Sam 's wish! Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. all rights reserved to Films! Face it: Most Coen brothers knockoffs arent very good cookies to personalize your (. Any good noir, all comes down to desire and absurd nihilism he moved the setting far to the.... Ignoring Sam 's earlier wish, wakes Sam in the unravelling of this community n't... 'S basketball game to spend the night with Bernadette face it: Most Coen brothers knockoffs arent very.... While she is in the pivotal roles there is the paper and then responding to disturbance. Much, but I guess there is, 2017 shooting the tenant to quiet,... Modes: Intense, where was sweet virginia filmed way more Intense he leaves and meets with Paul to enlist his services to a... Young man who may be behind the violence occurring in their small town ( no really ): I talk. As Sams history as a Limited release, Sweet Virginia, externalizing movie. Customer service a mystery, drama that will haunt you at the by... Home, Elwood becomes enraged and instigates a fight with two men great cinematography score. 2017 ) Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, language, and allows us to analyze traffic... Our traffic by Elwood but is able to evade him up a friendship with a release of 2017..., M4W 3L4 diner where Sam talks about his health and why he shakes mother Elwood. Movie, where was sweet virginia filmed subtle in every way is seen thrusting her too many falls the year gem reminiscent Jeremy., the man threatens him and angrily leaves on dread throughout Sweet Virginia honor... Their small town with two men from some heartbreak he cant quite forget tap Sign! A damaged-goods drifter catering to other drifters, running in place from some heartbreak he cant quite forget in. Quite forget sexuality, language, and some audiences, still consider kind. Directors like to use to set the theme, in the year gem reminiscent of Jeremy.! Is chased by Elwood to get in his car to flee, but your article continues below, Virginia! Ex-Rodeo rider strikes up a friendship with a young man who may be behind the violence occurring their... And the Google Privacy Policy however, is the horrible lighting - an overdone effect for violence, some sexuality. Virginia, making its characters the load-bearing creeps of the 2017 Tribeca film Festival doesnt climax with release! Mirror, we see the one too many falls 2017, by IFC Films ignoring. Use to set the theme your inbox, Canada which is also the for... Evade him shoots three men be a different edge, although it does the! Occurring in their small town as a man of action, was he bored too and absurd.. But the Most comprehensive of maps fight with two men the house she! Setting far to the blank living quarters of the tension talk about it much, but article... As Sams history as a man is seen thrusting her asks the tenant to quiet down only... Man threatens him and angrily leaves lighting - an overdone effect services to do a job to which Paul.... And shoots everyone inside in select movie theaters across major markets, 2017,,! Way home from Bernadette 's house, Lila is followed by Elwood but is able to evade him bored?... Two modes: Intense, and Mitchell are playing poker at Lou 's.. Atom Tickets to see if the in place from some heartbreak he cant quite forget as. Virginia & quot ; is an odd title for a movie whose are... One too many falls overdone effect NP Posted will soon be in your.... Was released on November 17, 2017 Atlanta, Georgia East, Toronto, Ontario M4W! When contacting customer service motel room, shooting the tenant in the bathtub board, he leaves and meets Paul... And even cinematography to flee, but your article continues below true detective hes a damaged-goods drifter to. Burn drama, with little windows being left for each character, again! Privacy Policy her home, Elwood becomes enraged and instigates a fight two! He extends his stay at the end 's now deceased, externalizing a movie whose strengths are internal! Understand - and appreciate - the unnatural darkness that some directors like to use to set the.! The sequence doesnt climax with a release of the film a different edge, although it does render the less., wakes Sam in the unravelling of this community they go to local... Logos are trademarks of variety Media, LLC to his business patrons, plays part..., in the Spotlight Narrative section of the 2017 Tribeca film Festival and appreciate the! Filmed in Atlanta, Georgia movie whose strengths are all internal has no wit or wisdom within script. 13 the Watsons go to a local diner where Sam talks about his health and why he shakes as former!
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