DVD
Review | The Slaughter Rule
Written by: Kage
Alan
One of the latest companies to come on board here at
Moda is Sundance. While many are familiar with the Festival by
the same name, not everybody
understands the philosophy behind it. Sundance brings audiences
a number of
independent films that they would most likely never see in mainstream
theatres or even on television. It allows for diversity in film
and
expression to exist where it's previously been strangled before.
Take "The
Slaughter Rule" for example. Hollywood most likely would
have tried to turn
the story into another "Remember The Titans" or whatever
else might be a
guaranteed box office moneymaker. After all, imitation is said
to be the
best form of flattery and Hollywood generally takes that to extremes.
Fortunately, that's not the case here.
Roy Chutney (Ryan Gosling, "The Believer") recently lost his
father in an
apparent suicide, then finds himself cut from the football team when
there
isn't enough money in the school's budget for a JV team. His
mother,
Evangeline (Kelly Lynch, "Charlie's Angels"), goes back and
forth from her
other life (Roy's parents were divorced) to his, but doesn't seem to
have any
real clarity about what the future for them will entail. Just
when
everything seems like it couldn't get any bleaker, Gideon Ferguson
(David
Morse, "Dancer in the Dark") approaches him to join a
football team he's
forming and coaching with other kids who want to play.
Instead of "The Slaughter Rule" focusing on the underdogs
overcoming the big
bad high school team, it's much more about the characters overcoming
their
own personal demons. Roy must come to terms with the reality of
how his
father died, learn from his new relationship with local waitress Skyla
(Clea
DuVall, "How To Make A Monster") how to be a man and also
deal with the
mystery behind his eccentric coach's past. Supporting characters
add to the
flavor of the film too, including Roy's best friend, Tracey Two Dogs
(Eddie
Spears, "Geronimo") and the homeless Floyd Studebaker (David
Cale,
"Pollock").
Instead of being driven by action, the story is driven by developing
the
characters and their relationships with each other. David Morse
is the real
standout here. I've never seen him in a role quite like this
that's both
disturbing and sympathetic at the exact same time. Ryan Gosling
redeems
himself after the abysmal "Murder By Numbers" and Clea
DuVall is a pleasure
to watch as always. The film's conclusion isn't what one might
expect
either, but that's just due to mainstream brainwashing.
Sundance Home Entertainment and Showtime have released "The
Slaughter Rule" in an attractive looking Widescreen transfer.
Video quality is fairly top
notch with only hints of grain in darker scenes while the audio is
crisp. As
for extras, there will be some included in the final release such as a
commentary and "Snapshot Diary", but that is subject to
change and not
included on the promo disc I have. Personally, I'd be very
curious to hear
what Writers/Directors Alex and Andrew Smith have to say about their
project.
Movies focusing primarily about sports are rarely at the top of my
viewing
list and I wasn't sure what to expect from a film titled "The
Slaughter
Rule", but I was willing to give it a try considering it came
from Sundance.
With that company, expect the unexpected. This is a film with
powerhouse
performances, a unique story and the right kind of talent to pull it
off.
While Hollywood might never have given it a green light, at least
Sundance
has given it an opportunity to find its own audience. It's well
worth
checking out.
Film Rating:
B+
DVD Special Features: TBD
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