Robert Duvall is one of the most iconic American actors of the last century, delivering a wide range of diverse performances that span all over the gamut of cinema. In Get Low, he whole-heartedly embodies the spirit and persona of old curmudgeon Felix “Bush” Breazeale, a true-life legend who attracted national attention when he threw himself a funeral party while he was still alive in 1938 Tennessee.
Lovingly re-creating a rich and authentic atmosphere of the rural south, debut director Aaron Schneider wrangles an all-star cast, including Sissy Spacek, Bill Cobbs and Bill Murray, to perform a balancing act of melodrama and humor. And though said performances may be nuanced and impressive (not to mention the film’s vivid cinematography) Get Low never really seems to prove its weight.
One of the biggest strengths in the film are the seasoned pros, in particular Duvall, who shines brilliantly as a guilt-ridden grump with a secret past. Around town, all sorts of legends surround Felix Bush, from cold blooded murder to working with the devil. Then one day Felix rolls into town, having been living as a hermit for years, with a shotgun and ball of cash looking to buy a funeral. Enter Murray as Frank Quinn, a street smart funeral home owner who seems to be Duvall’s only friend in town. In addition to these heavyweight veterans is a surprisingly sincere performance from Lucas Black, who plays sidekick to Bill Murray.
As the mystery behind Duvall’s checkered past slowly unravels, the actor truly shines. His conflicted old man is genuine, almost second nature. As he tries to come to terms with the wrong he’s done in his life, he revisits friends from the past, including widow Mattie Darrow (Sissy Spacek) and preacher Charlie Jackson (Bill Cobbs) who both add clues to the mystery. This journey into memories juxtaposed with the looming death of Felix on the horizon, creates an odd sense of foreboding mixed with compassion and sympathy. Add a dash of humor with some great deadpan delivery from Duvall and the pitch-perfect comedic timing of Murray’s one-liners and you have what should be a winning combination.
Unfortunately, Get Low falls flat fairly early on despite picking up momentum towards the end. The problem with the film is its uneven tone and pacing which can make watching parts of it feel like a chore. That being said, there are elements to the film that could make it worthwhile for you depending on how fond you are of either Robert Duvall or Bill Murray. Aaron Schneider, who picked up an Academy Award for his short film Two Soldiers, does an amazing job re-creating the Southern lifestyle with subtleties of the climate and people that are authentic. Despite the richness of the details and nuanced performances, the overall message of the film doesn’t add up to much and all we are left with are the echoes of Duvall’s presence.
7 out of 10
Have you seen Get Low? Do you plan on it? What do you think of Robert Duvall?