On Film: Shotgun Stories

This film comes to us from the producer of one of our favorite films, George Washington.  George Washington is one of those films that many viewers came away from asking: what happened?  The reason for that question is that not much really does happen in the film.  It's more of a character study than a by the numbers formula film.  Basically the entire running time follows a group of children around town as they look for stuff to do.  No it doesn't sound that interesting but believe me it really is.  The film takes time with the characters allowing us to really get to know them and to have a better appreciation for what happens to them.

With that previous film in mind we sat down in very uncomfortable seats at our local art house theater to check out Shotgun Stories.  This film is immediately familiar to fans of George Washington while those who haven't seen that film may need a few minutes to settle into the pace of this film.  Shotgun Stories tells the story of two sets of rivaling brothers.  The elder brothers live a life of minimal existence, appreciating each other and the smaller things, while holding hard feelings against a father that didn't even care enough for them to give them proper names.  They also hold a grudge against the other younger set of brothers who were treated fairly by a father that cleaned himself up and provided for his second family while leaving Son, Boy, and Kid to fend for themselves.

The two sets of brothers live separate existences across town from each other until the father dies.  The older brothers, Son in particular feel the need to speak at the funeral.  Obviously what they have to say isn't positive leading to a feud between the two sets of brothers.

The pacing in this film is deliberate and slow, and the cinematography is detailed but often nearly motionless.  Some of the shots could nearly have been a slideshow of photos.  All of this ties together to create a strong sense of desolation in this small southern town.  One of the brothers even comments at one point that it feels like he owns the entire town because it just feels so empty.  The pace also allows time for the characters to truly reveal themselves to us.  At first the older brothers seem like complete losers and they may very well be, but they truly love each other, and they struggle to take care of each other and hold their little family together.  They've obviously been through a lot, judging by their personalities and the barely explained scars on Son's back.

Shotgun Stories is about what's unsaid, about those meaningful silences that often occur between people.  This is a southern story, set in a southern town, with actors playing southern characters, so the pace seems to fit perfectly for these characters.  This film features some intense moments between the two sets of brothers but the intensity is as much emotional as it is violent.  This is the kind of film where you'll give yourself a second to react when it's over just like the characters do in the movie.  The ending is subtle, quiet, and open.  The specifics of the film come to an end before the closing credits but the emotional gap that was there is still there and probably always will be there.

Shotgun Stories isn't for the short attention span set, it's a thoughtful and masterful film that gives the audience and the characters breathing room that makes the events of the film all the more impactful.  This film is highly recommended.