Of
the last four pictures I have seen three are referred to as 'small',
independent pictures in the sense that they weren't made at major
studios but in no sense are the small pictures. In "the Extra Man" it
was joyous watching Kevin Kline ham it up and the story of "Mao's Last
Dancer" just pulled me in from beginning to end. Today I saw "Get Low"
and there wasn't a false note by any of the actors.

I like Robert Duvall as an actor and he always comes through with a fine job but I wouldn't
normally go to see a movie just because he was in it. In "Get Low" he is
giving the performance of his career,  over shadowing his Oscar win for
"Tender Mercies", or his much acclaimed performance in "The Apostle",
and will deserve every award he gets.

An actor I definitely don't care for is Bill Murray but he reigns in his schtick in this movie and gives a low key performance providing sharp humor
when it is called for and doesn't overdo the drama. Lucas Black gives
top support to both Duvall and Murray.

Now, on the other hand, I will, and do, go to any picture Sissy Spacek is in and she does not  let me, or anyone else in the audience, down in
her quiet, sweet role which could easily have been played for
melodrama.

Others
in the cast such as Gerald NcRaney and Bill Cobbs come across strong in
their roles when they are screen not taking away but adding to the
other actors performances.

The screenplay by Chris Provenzano and C. Gaby Mitchell, from a story by the former, gets under the
characters skins. It only falters at the ending which is seen coming too
soon which leads to a let down but not enough to negate what has come
before. Aaron Schneider, in his first directing job, either had a sure
hand with his professional cast or he had enough faith in them to not
direct them too much.

This is defintely another film to see which is on a short list the first 8 months of this year.