Rust (2010)

Grabbed this movie last night from one of the last remaining DVD-rental places on earth, I'm assuming. Although I wasn't a big Corbin Bernsen fan during his LA LAW days - ick - I love what he's become since: so much more lovely and thoughtful and scruffy and manly:) I figured this movie would be sweet & raw & real based on the cover's synopsis and knowing it was filmed in small-town Canada (as a cynical Canadian, I even cringed a bit in anticipation of small-town Saskatchewan acting skills to come), but I really wasn't expecting the beautiful little movie which softly enthralled us for those 2 hours.The story unfolds gently - so imperceptibly - that you wonder if there IS a point to the film. But unfold it does, under the guidance of some really brilliant acting by the locals recruited within the community where they were filming. Of course we were especially blown away by the eerily genius acting chops of Lloyd Warner's Travis - gobsmacked, we were - but we were equally impressed by the actors playing Corbin's sister and father. No reason why non-actors shouldn't be able to 'act', but still...amazing.SOooo refreshing to just watch a movie with a cast of genuine people (lumps, wrinkles, awkward pauses and all) and a plot line of such understated importance. Great work.

I rented this movie knowing that it appeared to be low budget, and seeing that the only recognizable actor was Bernsen, therefore, I was not going to expect to see an Oscar nominated movie. And that's OK! I read what it was about and it looked like something I was most definitely willing to give a try.I knew who Bernsen's character was speaking to immediately in the beginning scene. As a Lay Minister/Deaconess I've been there before - and more then once in my life. The movie held my interest from beginning to end. I'm an excellent person to figure out the 'who dunnits' and I generally always know well before others how a movie is going to end. This had a couple curve balls I was not expecting! I don't know about you, but I've been fed up with raunchy shows and movies before I was even an adult, so that's why when I come across movies like this, I'm not only willing to give it a shot, but I'm also able to overlook some aspects of low-budgeting, few actors, less frills, few special effects, etc, and look at the heart of the film, and believe me, this movie does indeed have heart.I was not expecting tears to flow at the end, but down they came, and down they came again while watching the extras.One thing that has occurred in my life on a number of occasions when the curve balls come - is that when something unexpectedly comes to an end, or a transition comes, whether by choice or by force, what always seems to follow is a needed task, to further learn a lesson, to be there for someone else, or for some other unexpected blessing. This is what I saw in this movie. Had Bernsen's character not went home at that time, he'd not have been there to help his friend. No one else was there to go the distance, and that's the way it is many times in life. No unexpected transition in my life, or the closing of a door has ever gone un-blessed or un-reciprocated. Thank the good Lord for that! Awesome message and awesome delivery. For the heart of the movie I'm giving it a 10!

I have a few films in my collection that i will always recommend to people to watch. This is one to be added to that list. The film is a wonderful tonic in todays rat race. The setting is nicely different and the characters are great. It has the feel of viewing a home movie in it's intimacy. The film deals with a Preachers loss of faith and a community struggling with a house fire which killed a family and a local idiot who was guilty of arson. No film is that simple and the beauty of this film is in the inter-twining of the stories. A local back water, non-glamorous, ordinary town and an ordinary Preacher with his troubles lead to a cracking alternative to the dross coming out of California. Sit back, relax and turn the phone off. It will be worth it.

I haven't written a movie review and may never do it again but this movie is worth writing about. The story is unique and the characters are more than original, they are authentic. It is a story of tragedy in a rural Canadian farm community, liberated by the tenacity of a returning pastor that is trying to make sense of his own life as well as the lives of this shaken town. The use of locals as characters in the story line makes it real. The most captivating actor is Lloyd Weber playing the part of Travis, who confesses to an arson that kills four beloved members of the community. Travis is a mentally challenged person that doesn't fit the character of a killer and that is why Pastor James Moore, played by Corbin Bernson, is trying to figure things out.There are a few twists to the plot that keep you wondering what will take place next. Even though it is a movie dealing with difficult times it is also one that you should watch as a family. It is clean, entertaining and inspirational.