Small Town Murder Songs (2010) User Reviews

Disjointed, uneven

[thrak61 · 5/10 · 26 July 2011]

To be fair, the director set himself up with a task that was going to undermine him. This is the story of a severely bottled-up individual who has a history of rage and violence, who has separated himself from larger society both because he can't trust himself and they know they can't trust him either. But to play such a character means going inward so much that it doesn't give the viewer a whole lot to look at. There are long stretches of this short movie where we see the protagonist simply frozen with his own torment.

The standout performance here is by Jill Hennessey, who conveys such resentment and antipathy toward the protagonist that it practically jumps off the screen. Every frame she's in the movie becomes compelling. If there had been more done with the back story between these two it might have made for a more interesting story.

Regarding the music - this kind of new-gospel is not to my taste, but even if it were, the fact that it's amped-up so loud compared to the rest of the film, where the characters barely speak above a whisper, is completely off-putting. What is supposed to add emotional and spiritual impact ends up just sounding bombastic. I felt aurally mugged.

Quiet emotional thriller. Too bad the music wasn't quiet.

[rooprect · 7/10 · 31 January 2013]

The movie itself is a haunting, powerful experience, much like the excellent Gothic thriller "Septien" and the short film "The Abattoir". These films are set in provincial towns, seemingly cut off from the world, and that adds to the suspense and mystery.

But check the discussion boards, I'm not the only one who thought the overbearing music killed the mood. The music itself was appropriate (jarring religious hymns), but they were just so loud and harsh that they distracted from the poetry of what was on screen. My advice to you would be to turn the volume down as much as possible while still being able to understand the dialogue. If you have it up too loud, I guarantee your neighbors will start pounding on the floor thinking you're starting a weird psycho cult and sacrificing first born children or something twisted like that.

Back to the movie, like I said above, it's suspenseful and mysterious. There's not a lot of action. In fact, basically there's no action at all. Instead you get a thick disturbing atmosphere, occasional dramatic flashbacks and unyielding tension building up. Very effective.

The DVD cover compares it to the Coen Brothers. I can definitely see some similarities with their serious side ("A Serious Man", "The Man Who Wasn't There"). It also reminded me of the 2005 film "Capote". If you like slow, heavy thrillers with interesting characters but not much action, give it a shot. Just beware of the loud soundtrack.

Good, but could have been better...

[catsklgd1 · 7/10 · 17 July 2012]

I was gliding through the selection of Indie films on Netflix, looking for something interesting to kill an hour or two, when I came across this film. The title intrigued me, as did the description, so I added it to my streaming queue. When the film began, I immediately liked the feel of it, set as it is in Canadian farm country, with big vistas and a stark, rural atmosphere. The music was totally unique, and fit the story perfectly. The only problem I had was that it was too loud at times, and probably a bit intrusive as well. I liked the "chapter titles," and thought they added to the film's feel. The character of Walter, the Chief of Police, was well drawn, although I would have liked a bit more detail to explain his past. Nonetheless, I was able to glean enough insight into his psyche to allow me to still enjoy the sterling performance of Peter Stormare (Fargo, Big Lebowski). This was probably the finest performance I have seen him give, and he deserves a good deal of recognition for it. Jill Hennessy turned in a compelling performance as a woman caught in the middle, and every minute she was on screen was memorable. The direction was spot-on, and I imagine we'll be seeing quite a bit more from Ed Gass-Donnelly in the future. If you like films that are more than just special effects and oddball cinematic techniques, you'll enjoy Small Town Murder Songs. Is it a murder mystery? Not really; there isn't much doubt about whodunit. This is a film about redemption, which is a subject not often handled as well as it is here. Highly recommended.

You have to watch it the "right" way...

[dancinhomer2 · 23 September 2011]

As a murder mystery, it crashes and burns terribly. If you want a "whodunit," prepare to be disappointed, because you don't have to be Encyclopedia Brown to put THIS one together.

But as a character study, it's interesting. Yes, these people would have to be absolute cretins to not know who killed the girl, but that notwithstanding, it's an interesting look at someone trying to move beyond his past in a small community where it's difficult to start over because everyone knows you too well. I've lived in a "no traffic light" town in my day, and anonymity and privacy are nearly impossible to find, much less a chance to re-make yourself. And, as one of the town's police officers, the protagonist has to interact with the community all the time, making a re-invention that much more difficult. Watching it for THAT makes it worth watching.

So, consider it a movie where the event is more the internal struggle and not the outward struggle of solving the murder mystery. Keep your focus on the character, not the events, and you'll like it a lot more.

A solid effort with an exceptional performance from Stormare

[AaronHickory · 7/10 · 17 July 2011]

I'm not sure I can grasp how anyone could possibly rate this movie as low as 1 or 2 stars. I saw the angry reviews and thought I'd give this movie a chance since the trailer interested me. This movie has solid acting throughout, and exceptional acting from Stormare, who most of the movie is focused around. There have been complaints about the music, and I'll admit that the music did seem out of place at times. Since the music was to my taste and very soulful, I can give that a pass, but if you don't like glorious musical creations, it could get annoying to some. Although some elements of the story -- especially towards the end -- were left a bit too open for me, the beautiful cinematography, cast, and solid acting make it well worth a viewing.

brilliant acting, thoughtful screenplay, effective film

[platinumpyrrs · 7/10 · 12 February 2012]

Recommended for watchers that appreciate the fine enactment of a well-crafted screenplay. Direction also very good. All the actors had their moments, and some were indeed memorable: I shall always remember the look between Rita and Steve at the end when Steve is in the back of the police vehicle. Let's just say brilliant acting, direction, and camera-work must culminate to capture something that good. Of course, one will need to watch what comes before to reach that point. The pace of the movie is deliberate, and dialog is often exchanged haltingly, especially from our main man, Walter (Peter Stormare depicts him from the inside out -- excellent all the way through; also loved the lingering accent, which fits Walter perfectly). Music and biblical quotes were a bit jangling, I must agree, as many other reviewers have noted. The quotes were more of a problem than the music for me, because I have a problem with quotes in general. As a viewer, I don't need to be told what a section of movie is going to be about. That's a bit of an insult, in fact. Anyway, take the quotes out and the movie would have been just as watchable from my perspective. Music -- OK, it adds atmosphere, though again I probably would have enjoyed the movie just as much without it. Reminiscent of another Mennonite-centric film I saw directed by Carlos Reygadas in Mexico, Silent Night, though that was brilliant in a very different way.

To recap, here, "Small Town Murder Songs" is a title that describes the movie literally; the acting, screenplay, and direction make this a watchable film, especially for the contemplative viewer.

Stormare's performance is the only virtue here

[BeneCumb · 5/10 · 16 February 2013]

I have always admired Peter Stormare's acting but I am unable to recall him in a leading role - until now. He provides a strong performance as a religious police officer with violent and painful past, and there are very few scenes without his presence. As for the rest, I cannot find more outstanding features: the plot is slow and dull (the killer can be figured out early), religious soundtrack and church links are annoying, other actors/characters are not catchy. Even in terms of pondering and profundity, there are far more interesting and versatile movies, even from Canada. Luckily, its duration is 1 hour and 10 minutes only.

Thus, a film for art's sake, but not interesting to follow. It could just have been a psychological film without any crime at all. By the way, I like the Coens a lot and have seen all of their films. Small Town Murder Songs does not measure up to them.

No story, great everything else.

[minimusdecimus · 7/10 · 23 November 2011]

The villages, small towns are the places where, far from the the alert rhythm of the big cities, people find time for themselves, for introspection, remembrance, or/and redemption. Here's such a story... OK, not a story, really, but rather something vaguely resembling. Could have been a great episode in a series following the characters in the movie and going deeper in their life and psychology. Something like Durham County, maybe?

I found the movie almost by mistake, browsing in a lazy night the available HD movies on my fibe TV subscription, and seeing the TIFF stamp on the poster I placed the order instantly. My annual Andrei Tarkovsky phase, when I re-watch some of his films, was at an end, and this one was a nice step to the real world, coming from the dreamy-big-questions-and-endless-search-tarkovskyan world. I've immediately felt at home, with a familiar style and landscape, only much, much simpler. Something reminding of Fargo (1996, USA/UK), as many others saw the resemblance. With a lesser story, though.

Overall, an excellent crafted, but with an 'unfinished' feel movie. Absolutely worth watching. And more than once, if one enjoys great acting and fantastic directing, regardless the unsatisfactory plot.

Oh dear oh dear!

[LOL101LOL · 1/10 · 16 July 2011]

This could have been a good film, good actors, storyline that can at times be great viewing and so on and so on. I had read some of the comments on IMDb and thought lets give it go! it can't be all bad, but damn this film stunk bad!

But the worst was the music, damn that was rubbish, and the story line was murdered before they even started making this film, just lots of weird music, lots of over the top try hard acting makes for a sad sorry film, no worse than most of the rubbish that has come from Hollywood, but do yourself a favor and pass this one by!

2 out of 10 and I am being generous

And just too to make sure I do my bit to can this awful rubbish, I have now given it a 1 instead of a 2.

"If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer them your left."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 8 January 2012]

Well, it's happened before where I've been taken in by the promotional blurbs on a film's DVD cover. "A rare film. Cosmologically profound." was the way Variety Magazine put it. "A must-see fresh take on crime and redemption." from the Toronto Star; forgivable I guess because this is a Canadian movie. Then there's "Haunting...Totally Captivating.", which if I had read further to see that it came from the Huffington Post I might have put it down right there.

With that kind of a build-up, my expectations were raised for a unique viewing experience. Unfortunately, this film with the cool title is basically your every day murder mystery that could pass in most places as a TV episode, take your pick of series. A plot element that might have had much more of an impact if it had been explored further was the character of police chief Walter (Peter Stormare), who in flash backs is shown beating on an unknown victim, but without that person's identity, there's no ability to connect the dots to the case at hand. All we know is that Walter has rage control problems and he's trying to overcome them, but in the final analysis, I didn't find that to be good enough.

Oddly, with the issue I had with the story line, I was strangely fascinated by the bluesy gospel inspired sound track. It would have been better if the music didn't suddenly blare out at you as it did; I had to constantly go for the volume control to bring the level down a few notches. I don't know anything about the Mennonite community or their religion, so I can't say if the music fit the picture's sensibilities or not. But it did seem to reconcile itself with Walter's quest for personal redemption.

Now I'm thinking about the ending, and I have to wonder. Was the creepy guy Steve arrested for the murder (all indications pointed to that), or for assailing Walter? You know these two had a bad history between them, but was this a case of the ends justifying the means on Walter's part? Not really clear if you think about it. And the bigger question - how does a looker like Rita get involved with a couple of characters like Walter or Steve in the first place?

Awful Movie

[tflynn-7 · 1/10 · 25 September 2012]

This is the absolute worst movie I've ever seen. I kept watching it thinking that it's gotta get better. I held that thought right up to the credits. Don't know where they got the guy who played the police chief, but almost anyone could play his part since his part was mostly sitting quietly and sulking. I'll bet that he didn't say more than 20 words through the whole movie. I don't know why writers think that the brooding, silent type is what people want to see, but as for me, a character like makes me want to slap him and say, "Say something". I've seen some real stinker movies before, but this one takes first place. Just an awful movie!.

Crime Drama -Character Driven

[ntjk7223 · 8/10 · 1 July 2011]

I read the review posted that bashes this movie that review could not be more wrong. I just watched this movie and could not be more impressed.

This movie is very different from standard police fare, it is concerned with the characters in the story not just the crime drama.

If you hate what Michael Bay (Transformers director) movies, this is the movie for you. Characters should matter in a movie not special effects.

Canada, you should be very proud of this movie.

Hollywood take note. Your movies may make more money but they're not better.

"The Lord will fight for you; you have only to be still."

[nesfilmreviews · 7/10 · 7 November 2014]

The oddly and evocatively titled "Small Town Murder Songs" is a stark, powerful drama that in brief outline can sound mistakenly as it turns out -- very much like a police procedural. Instead, it's a character study about a man desperately trying to hold onto some sense of himself while squeezed in a psychological, spiritual, and professional vise. Toronto writer/director Gass-Donnelly combines powerful imagery to a thundering score rich in percussion and choral singing, created by Bruce Peninsula. Rarely does cinema and music mesh as boldly as this. It's a fairly straightforward movie told in a very brief 75 minutes -- every scene carries weight, and nothing is wasted.

Set in a tiny Mennonite community in the lovely rural heartlands outside of London, Ontario, where Walter (Peter Stormare) is an aging police officer who is investigating the murder of a young women whose naked body was found dumped in the weeds on the outskirts of town. Walter must do his job, but his current investigation involves something from his past. He is a man haunted with regret, searching for forgiveness and deliverance, which only accentuates the poignancy of his current situation.

Stormare delivers a tremendous performance, completely inhabiting his character. He superbly conveys the interior torment of a violent man attempting to live and work as a peacemaker, but you have to wonder if he couldn't have used a bit more of a back story. The story is so lean, we really don't know enough about Walter to fully appreciate the burden he must bear. The musical score elevates this otherwise bare film, truly enhancing this simple story while adding emotional depth in place of the ambiguity of its characters. Between Stormare's performance, the cinematography, and the forceful atmospheric music, "Small Town Murder Songs" achieves a unique kind of splendor.

Distinctly average

[Vindelander · 5/10 · 14 October 2020]

A bit of nothing really. Very little story, very slow and unexciting throughout. Not one of Stormare's best performances.

Wouldn't watch it again.

The best Coen bros movie that they had nothing to do with. Very interesting and good movie. I say B

[cosmo_tiger · 17 July 2011]

"You need to ask, what kind of man do I choose to be." After discovering a murdered girl in a field, Ottawa police officer Walter (Stormare) is put in charge of trying to find the killer. When the pressure of the case starts to get to him will he act like the officer he is, or will his past catch up with him first? This is another movie that has a very deliberate pace, it does drag a little in spots, but overall a very good movie. The best way to describe this is slowly watching a man who has it all together begin to lose it. All the while you begin to feel sorry for him, and you feel like you shouldn't. This is the best Coen Brothers movie that they haven't directed. This movie has the pacing and feel of one of their movies, even though they had nothing to do with this one. The acting is excellent and is a joy to watch Walter try to stay calm in the midst of the pressure he is facing. This is a great choice if you are looking for a movie. I liked it a lot. Overall, a very good movie filled with great acting. The music used in this movie is excellent, and it really adds to the feel of the movie. This is another movie that is not for everyone, but those that like the Coen Brothers will really enjoy this movie. I give it a B.

Would I watch again? - I don't think I will, not really a repeat watcher type movie.

*Also try - Winter's Bone

Movie was good, soundtrack was HORRIBLE

[minniecactustt · 7/10 · 20 December 2021]

The movie was interesting but whoever selected that soundtrack should be fired! It was atonal screeching with these obnoxious drums. It had absolutely no relation to what was happening in the movie.

A small slice of Coen

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 31 March 2014]

Walter (Peter Stormare) is a small Ontario town chief of police with a large Mennonite farming community. They find the naked body of a young woman. It's his first murder. He's trying to overcome his angry past. However the murder leads to Rita (Jill Hennessy) who provides an alibi for her boyfriend Steve (Stephen Eric McIntyre).

This is a festival indie by writer/director Ed Gass-Donnelly. With Peter Stormare and those great thumping songs by Bruce Peninsula, this has the feel of a Coen movie. The story isn't that compelling. It needs to be either more twisty or more grotesque. It doesn't compare to its modern compatriots. Stormare is amazing as he usually is. He is a great character actor in need of a big time role. And the music just drives so hard that it energizes a pretty simple story. This movie is much more about this quiet character as most of his struggle is interior.

This is a movie that can't decide what it is

[steiner-sam · 4/10 · 19 June 2021]

The movie is set in modern-day Southern Ontario in a small town with a significant Mennonite population surrounding it. The actual filming took place in Listowel, Ontario, which has Mennonites in its rural areas. The story concerns the local police chief, Walter, who is contending with his own violent past as he encounters a murder that comes close to home.

Walter (Peter Stormare) comes from Low German Mennonite stock but is alienated from his family. Although a policeman, he's lived a rough life but has had a born-again experience and been baptized into an unidentified evangelical church. His current partner is Sam (Martha Plimpton), who is a gentle-spirited waitress in town. Walter's "ex" is Rita Louis (Jill Hennessy); she left him six months earlier after one of his violent outbursts and remains very angry at him. Her current partner is Steve (Stephen Eric McIntyre), a guy who lives on the edge of the law and has contempt for Walter.

Walter's deputy, Jim (Aaron Poole), calls Walter to a murder scene where a virtually naked woman has been reported. Since murder is beyond the local police force's capability, the Ontario Provincial Police are called in. The detective, Washington (Ari Cohen), has the other significant role in the film. The police soon figure out that Rita is the person who made the 911 call about the body. However, she insists that Steve was with her the night the murder took place.

The film follows Walter and his efforts to control his violent instincts as he becomes more and more convinced of Steve's guilt. There are a couple of confrontations between Walter and Steve, and Rita. In the end, Walter is able to stick to his new-found faith.

This is a movie that can't decide what it is. On one level, it's about a man's struggle with faith. On another level, it's a murder mystery of sorts. On a third level, it's about a town and Mennonite community dealing with a scary crime in the community. From the director's comments, it's clear he filmed one movie and changed it into a different movie during post-production. And that change shows, big time.

The Mennonite references are odd and confusing. Walter comes from Low German Mennonite stock, and there are several scenes with his brother and father where dialogue is in dialect. On the other hand, we see Old Order Mennonite buggies pass on the road, see conservative Mennonites on the town street, and Walter has a conversation with Olive (Jackie Burroughs), who appears to be some sort of elderly conservative Mennonite woman from a "Swiss Mennonite" background. The "Mennonite" part of the film has little to do with the plot or any significant characters. It was probably just a selling point.

The music is very odd (Sacred Harp music while a large building is towed through town). Numerous characters appear without inadequate context.

Not bad, not good.

[punishmentpark · 5/10 · 3 August 2013]

Peter Stormare. The first time I saw him^ was in another (homespun) murder-story: 'Fargo'. There, he fit the bill perfectly, but here... I don't know, really. He has plenty of charisma for me to stay interested, but his performance never got under my skin, nor did the whole 'story'.

The big texts on the screen weren't helping either, they didn't add anything to what was plainly there already. The music - fierce gospels with rhythmic percussion - is in itself beautiful, but maybe used a little too much.

'Small town...' is a somewhat contemplative film on violence, change and forgiveness and their place in society and man, but it never becomes a truly gripping tale.

5 out of 10.

^ I checked out his career, and it seems I must have seen him earlier in 'Awakenings', but I can't recall his part.

You are not, nor will you ever be, a Coen brother...

[Coventry · 4/10 · 29 January 2023]

It's plain obvious to see where the comparisons between "Small Town Murder Songs" and landmark Coen-brother movies like "Fargo" and "No Country for Old Men" are coming from. The unique and geographically isolated locations, the melancholy of the lead characters, the slow pacing, ... They're all trademarks owned by the Coen brothers and blatantly copied by writer/director Ed Gass-Donnelly. There's one crucial element missing, though, and that is the big difference in talent.

"Small Town Murder Songs" is set in a secluded Ontarian Mennonite-community. Apparently, Mennonites are a strict movement of the Catholic Church of Dutch/German origin. I had to look that up, of course, since I never heard of Mennonites before in my life! Peter Stormare stars as Walter, the Sheriff, and he stumbles upon the body of a brutally murdered and naked girl on the shores of the town's lake.

Despite the potentially fascinating murder investigation, the film doesn't have an actual plot. There's only one real suspect for the murder, and - guess what - he did it! The true essence revolves around the redemption of Sheriff Walter, who only just rejoined his town's Church and previously struggled with anger issues. You know for sure you live in a ridiculously small town when a gorgeous woman like Jill Hennessey can only choose between the fat & depressed Sheriff or the redneck town drunk. If I'm honest and straightforward, "Small Town Murder Songs" is a boring and void effort, without any highlights or remarkable moments. If the titular "songs" don't put you to sleep, the monotonous dialogues and silences will. It's never a good sign when the short running time - barely 75 minutes - is the best aspect.

Glad that I finally saw this

[cpburrowes · 10/10 · 25 November 2010]

After missing this by minutes at TIFF (I went to the box office when I should have went to the venue and joined the rush line...oops) I finally was able to see it at a sold out screening in the town where it was shot. In the time between it's premiere in Toronto and the screening I finally saw it at I had seen reviews slowly appearing here and there. While there was good word from Toronto media, which seems partial to hometown boy Ed Glass-Donnelly, I was also seeing less favourable reviews which seemed to be critical of the pacing and the soundtrack. The fact is I found both of these elements of the movie were executed brilliantly. The sound is sparse, the dialogue crisp and clear driving this character study toward it's realistically explosive conclusion. The music was used in excellent way to build atmosphere. The songs by Bruce Peninsula were especially appropriate. Coming from a small town I must add that some of the characters in Smalltown Murder Songs could live right next to me. Believable.

Half-baked

[Valid_ID · 2/10 · 31 December 2021]

The development of the main character is done well enough, but the abrupt ending, with no conclusion, makes it an unsatisfactory story.

Perhaps those who are confident in their ability to read glances can make peace with the 50/50 chance of identifying the culprit, but the rest of us will remain baffled.

Subtlety is not bad in a movie when there's clarity brought by other factors later on; however, when the ending is too subtle, there is nothing to add to solve the mystery. So it remains a half-baked story.

Discordant

[Cinnyaste · 4 September 2011]

Set in colorless, out-in-the-boonies Ontario, Canada, "Small Town Murder Songs" effectively captures small town life... with a murderer on the loose.

Sliced into segments punctuated by biblical quotes, this melancholy tale follows the creepy Police Chief, a Mennonite, as he tracks the killer in an inbred and insular podunk community.

Peter Stormare shines as a Police Chief who's a hand grenade with the pin pulled. Seems the Chief's former girlfriend is now shacking up with the main suspect. Also seems the Chief kicked the crap out of someone not too long ago.

"Small Town Murder Songs" obliquely suggests "Witness." Here the religious spine is irrelevant. This is a most basic redemption story; one that's many times been told. The spiritual slant does little to liberate the common plot. The extraordinary, effective soundtrack emphasizing the title does. The deliberate, bucolic pace and beautifully framed landscapes also add much. Unfortunately, it's not enough. Be prepared to feel like you're listening to a discordant orchestra trying to follow a fumbling maestro's baton.

This certainly is not a must see film. It's a slightly odd take on a story you've seen a million times. Watch it, if you must, for Stormare, the soundtrack. For something different. Afterward don't run to me crying, "It wasn't that good."

Emphasis on every single word in the title

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 12 August 2012]

This is almost an exhibit in acting. Peter Stormare is as great in this as the bit players. There is no weakness to be found in the acting department. The short running time is good too, the music is well selected and the script is as tight as it should be. I personally do not agree as much with Coen comparisons, because this is far more serious than a Fargo.

It's important to know, because people will think of Fargo and not of Millers Crossing or other serious themed movies the Coen brothers did. Most of the people that is. All in all it wouldn't do justice to the filmmaker just comparing him to someone else. He did something really amazing here, mixing photography and sound to make a movie about human downfall(s).

Movie sucks

[timtravis82 · 16 July 2011]

Only two words to describe this movie. It sucks.

This movie is not a thriller.

Unless you consider a dog barking in slow motion to be a heart-stopping moment.

Do not go by what a couple of reviewers here have mentioned.

I would not even give this movie a one star but I do because the torture finally ends.

Please believe me when I say that I registered at IMDb only to write this review as I do not wish anyone else to waste a precious couple of hours of their life.

Watch this one at your own peril. You have been warned.