In 2009, the crowd funding website Kickstarter
launched; the purpose of the site is for people to advertise a project they
would like to work on and complete it using funds that are donated to them
through internet backers. Comic books, clothing lines, video games, food
products, and gadgets have all been funded using the site; but my personal
favorites that have been completed involve movies. As a cinephile (a person who
loves movies), it makes me happy to see a director or writer be able to make a film
using Kickstarter when no big studios would help fund them. It gives people the
chance to make truly unique and special. Probably the most famous movie
Kickstarter would have to be the "Veronica Mars" movie (which I
loved) released earlier this year after receiving almost six million in
donations from fans; but a lesser known movie funded using the site just
released called "Blue Ruin." And not only is it the best movie funded
through Kickstarter, it may also be one of the best films this year.
"Blue Ruin"
follows the story of Dwight, a young homeless man who is content with spending
his days living out of his car and eating out of dumpsters. One day he is
approached by a local police officer who has to deliver some bad news. The man
who is responsible for the death of his parents is being released from prison,
as you can imagine this shakes Dwight's foundation to the core. Confused and
bewildered, he decides to head back to his home state to confront the man. He
ends up tracking the man down to a bar run by his family, Dwight sneaks inside
and hides in the bathroom; shortly after the man come in to wash his hands.
Dwight needs to decide then and there, let it go and move on with his life, or
kill the man responsible for his parent’s death. Either choice will shape the
rest of his life; he just needs to realize what's most important to him, his
life or revenge.
Reminiscent of Jeff
Nichols 2008 film "Shotgun Stories," "Blue Ruin" is simply
one of the best films you'll see all year and American film making at its
finest. A classic revenge story, this is an emotionally jarring movie from
start to finish. Bolstered by several strong performances, especially from the
lead actor, "Blue Ruin" is incredibly intense and suspenseful throughout
several points of the movie that will have you on the edge of your seat. The
movie also makes you think; it brings up questions about what is morally just,
should the sins of the father impact the future of their sons and those types
of things? This is one of those movies that don’t have a lot of dialog, but the
little that is said is powerful stuff. Also, this movie is downright beautiful.
The cinematography is top notch and some of the best I've seen so far this
year. Really the only problems with the movie is that while it's well paced it
can get rather slow between the more intense scenes, and it takes a good 15 or
so minutes for something truly interesting to happen. "Blue Ruin" is
a gem, I don't know how else to put it. If this doesn't end up on my best of
the year list I will be amazed. Available on demand, this is a must watch for
any true movie fan.
Pros: Beautiful cinematography, very strong
performances, incredibly intense and suspenseful, emotional story of revenge,
brings up though provoking questions, little but powerful dialog.
Cons: Well paced but can often be slow, takes a little too
long to reach the meat of the story.
4.5/5 Stars
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