Lack of good storyline.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

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 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...

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.