Small Town Murder Songs

Name: Small Town Murder Songs
Genre: Thriller, Crime
Released: July 1, 2011
Duration: 75 min
Rating: 66

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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Small Town Murder Songs

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Movie Details & Credits

Monterey Media | Release Date: July 1, 2011 | R

Summary: A modern gothic tale of crime and redemption. When a young, unidentified woman is found dead by the lake - the victim of a brutal and violent crime - Walter, an aging small town police officer, is called to the scene of the town's first murder investigation in decades. Haunted by his past, and hampered by the mistrust of the community and aA modern gothic tale of crime and redemption. When a young, unidentified woman is found dead by the lake - the victim of a brutal and violent crime - Walter, an aging small town police officer, is called to the scene of the town's first murder investigation in decades. Haunted by his past, and hampered by the mistrust of the community and a state police officer overseeing the investigation, he sets out to solve the murder, complicated by his ex-lover and his suspicion of her current boyfriend. As he delves deeper into the crime, his newly-reformed life begins to unravel threatening his relationship with Sam and intertwining itself within the investigation and possibly the murder itself. (Monterey Media, Inc.)… Expand

Director: Ed Gass-Donnelly

Genre(s): Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 75 min

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Critic Reviews

Joe Morgenstern

Jul 7, 2011

Stylistic debts abound: the Coen brothers, Roger Deakins, the bleak, gothic landscapes of Terrence Malick's "Badlands" and Richard Brooks's "In Cold Blood." Through it all, though, is the original and memorable spectacle of violence expressed and repressed by the desperate hero. Read full review

Alison Willmore

Jun 30, 2011

The film is as much music-video collection as crime drama: The interludes in which the songs swell into voluptuous prominence balance out a tale of crime and redemption so spare, it's almost abstract. Read full review

Mark Holcomb

Jun 28, 2011

Boldly succinct yet confident enough to take its time. Read full review

John Anderson

Jun 28, 2011

It's a rare film that feels too short, but Small Town Murder Songs leaves one wanting more -- more murder story, mystery and revelations from lead thesp Peter Stormare and virtuoso helmer Ed Gass-Donnelly. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Jun 30, 2011

Compellingly acted from top to bottom. As the raw passions of its hard-bitten characters seep into you, the songs hammer them even more deeply into your consciousness. The film's only flaw - a big one - is its brevity. Read full review

Stephen Cole

Jun 28, 2011

Gass-Donnelly is good at capturing stalled rural lives, from church hymn-sings populated by the elderly, their voices fragile as April snow, to dead-end afternoons at corner cafés, where bored patrons stretch lunch hours with coffee and gossip. Read full review

Chuck Bowen

Jun 30, 2011

So intent on being "art" that it's seemingly indifferent to providing simple niceties such as compelling performance, plot, and an atmosphere that isn't predictably oppressive. Read full review

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User Reviews

MorriBey

Jul 16, 2011

Enjoyable. Hard though to understand the accent sometimes. Excellent filmography. Best i have seen in a long time. It captures the small Mennonite town so well. Film is a mystery but in that Cohen brothers way. Weird and wonderful where nothing happens above the surface but where you feelEnjoyable. Hard though to understand the accent sometimes. Excellent filmography. Best i have seen in a long time. It captures the small Mennonite town so well. Film is a mystery but in that Cohen brothers way. Weird and wonderful where nothing happens above the surface but where you feel the vibration of the tremors below.… Expand

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JUIKER

Aug 31, 2012

Superbly well- acted by everyone on screen and beautifully scored by Bruce Peninsula in a truly remarkable soundtrack that adds so much to the film. For all the fine, fine performances here, Amy Rutherford in a brief role as a grieving mother deserves special mention. In all, while the filmSuperbly well- acted by everyone on screen and beautifully scored by Bruce Peninsula in a truly remarkable soundtrack that adds so much to the film. For all the fine, fine performances here, Amy Rutherford in a brief role as a grieving mother deserves special mention. In all, while the film is short and might be charged with under-serving its story, there is nary a misstep here. I am looking forward to more, much more, from this director.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Nesbitt10

Dec 4, 2012

Beautifully written and directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly about a man Walter (Peter Stormare), who seeks redemption for his life of sin. There isn't anything complicated about the plot, there aren't any wild twists, and it raps itself up rather quickly at under a hour and a half. TheBeautifully written and directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly about a man Walter (Peter Stormare), who seeks redemption for his life of sin. There isn't anything complicated about the plot, there aren't any wild twists, and it raps itself up rather quickly at under a hour and a half. The cinematography is straightforward and graceful, consistant with the unassuming storyline. The musical score is exceptional, which dramatically enhances this film from a "it was ok" ,to a movie that truly captivates and resonates. Peter Stormare is terrific as Walter.… Expand

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