Film Review: Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek Elevate Drama ‘Get Low’

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CHICAGO – What could possibly drive a man into such a deep pit of despair that he would choose to break from society and take on the life of a hermit? The mystery of such a decision is the driving force behind Aaron Schneider’s “Get Low,” a based-on-a-true-story drama that has already earned Oscar buzz for star Rubert Duvall and praise for co-stars Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, Lucas Black, and Bill Cobbs.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

“Get Low” is the tale of a man reaching for one final change at forgiveness, redemption, and confession before he “got low” six feet underground. Driven by one of the year’s best performances by one of the best actors that ever lived, “Get Low” casts a light into a life lived in darkness. Is there anything you can dream up that would be so horrible that you would leave everything behind, make a mule your only companion, and live a life in the woods with nothing but your fading memories? Schneider’s film hinges a bit too strongly on the “mystery” of that question, forcing the audience to mentally play the guessing game with its lead character’s past and the supporting cast is nowhere near as well-drawn and believable as the center of the piece, but it’s worth seeing for Duvall’s performance alone and it heralds the arrival of a very interesting and creative young director in Schneider.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Get Low” in our reviews section.

Felix Bush (Robert Duvall) is a blend of irascible old coot and urban legend to those who have crossed his path or merely heard the many stories about his unusual behavior. He’s introduced to us walking up a hill to his cabin and firing a shotgun in the air. He’s clearly not a man to be messed with, but time stops for no one and when he’s confronted with both the death of an old friend and a brush with mortality himself, Felix rides his cart into town and asks a local funeral director named Frank Quinn (Bill Murray) to hold a “living funeral” for him.

With the help of Frank’s wide-eyed employee Buddy (Lucas Black), the home will hold a party in which everyone who’s ever heard a story about Felix will come and tell it to the masses. Bush makes the offer more enticing by adding a raffle of his own property to those who attend. Why not give it to a stranger? He has no family and no friends and, as they say, you can’t take it with you.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Get Low” review.

Get Low
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics