Godspeed (2009)

Godspeed is obviously a film about redemption, but holds more for the audience in being a genuinely good movie about life, faith, and coping from the perspective of all the characters and not just the lead. Everyone has their own story in this, their own past. The storyline is one that engages you as you want to find out more about these characters whose lives you've entered in media res. The characters are endearing in that none are black/white, but have shades of both. No one is completely good or bad in this film, which succeeds in making the hero more relatable and the bad guy even creepier in that while you might not agree with his decisions, you can see where he's coming from.Godspeed has the "indie" feel to it that brings an intimacy between film and audience. Its gritty-ness makes you live the story rather than watch from an elevated, third-party position, and is complimented by beautiful Alaskan scenery that brings a calm, isolated feel that magnifies the tension between the characters.

This is an amazing film, hard to believe this is not a big budget picture. What little the story lacks is well made up for in other areas. The production quality and outstanding cinematography alone are enough to enjoy the movie, as absolutely beautiful images flow throughout the picture. I can't wait to see it on the big screen. The professionalism of the experience is even more embellished by the veteran performance by Joe McKelheer. Joe's acting ability is truly underrated and deserves note here. He manages to pull you in to the storyline by being such a believable and relatable character. Truly a top notch production. Watch and enjoy.

I caught this in Stockholm and it's stayed with me for a number of reasons. Firstly, the setting was stunning, cinematographer Michael Hardwick deserves credit for making the most of the Alaskan backdrop. The score was beautiful, and it fit the story, something low budget films often get wrong.I liked the plot and the way it's been handled, in that Charlie doesn't become some sort of vengeance seeking hysterical as he may in a more mainstream movie. Instead, the captivating Joseph McKelheer takes Charlie to a hollow place, tortured yes...but hollow. The physical transformation McKelheer makes during the movie, combined with his superb acting, tell us all we need to know about Charlie's state of mind. Cory Knauf, at times, is unbearable to watch, and I mean this as a compliment as that's exactly what Luke needs to be, yet he still leaves enough room to invoke moments of sympathy in the viewer.Courtney Halverson is brilliant as Sarah, embodying perfectly the vulnerable transition from girl to woman, it helps that she has the 'beautiful innocent' look about her too.Certain scenes are extremely disturbing, you'll know when you get them which ones I mean. I wouldn't presume to tell people to watch this, just as I wouldn't tell you not to watch something else....what I will say is that I'm a big indie/low budget fan and I found this to be a rare gem, disturbing, emotive, haunting, beautiful, challenging and honest.I'm excited to find McKelheer and Knauf have worked together prior to this and look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

A faith healer barely is making a living in the wilds of Alaska . He withdraws into himself after his wife and child are killed by intruders to his house. He meets a young woman with whom he makes a bond. She eventually takes him home to meet her family and things become deadly.This is a good but not great film. The Alaskan locations make a nice background for the story of a group of people lost in their own personal wilderness. The cast is pretty good and is nicely balanced. The trouble with the film is that some of what happens once everyone ends up at the girl's home is a little odd. Its hard to explain what actually bothers me with out giving too much away, but I find the motivation and the head space of two of the characters a little odd. Its not bad, but I found it hard to fully connect with the characters the way I probably should. It also makes some of what happens a little hard to fully accept. Having said that I have to say that I like the film; I don't love it but I did like it. It's the sort of film that hovered around the edges of my psyche after it was done. Would I recommend it if one had to pay full price in the movies, probably not, but I think that if one wanted to see a good, decidedly not your typical Hollywood film, one should give this a shot on home video or on cable.