Country Music (2011) Poster

(2011)

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7/10
Likable Jim Jarmusch-like movie, but somewhat pointless
rick-segreda20 January 2012
Watching this film is like spending two hours in the lounge area of a backpacker's hostel in the company of young travelers from hither and yon, while waiting for supper to served. Lots of casual conversation, lots of shooting-the-breeze, some jokes, some awkwardness, some flirting, some candor, and then...it's over, and that's all folks! The writer-director, Alberto Fuguet, does a commendably expert job technically, so that the movie does not look like it was shot on a shoestring budget, even though it was. Even more commendably, the acting throughout is more than competent, so you are not reminded of the fact that you are watching actors acting, always a fatal flaw in independent cinema. On the other hand, none of the people in front of the camera project the sort of charisma that makes a film memorable.

But the biggest problem is the lack of any seeming point to the proceedings; no character growth, no revelation, no insights, no...nothing. However, I was never bored, even chuckled a few times, and Pablo Cerda can sing and play well; it's a pity he only gets to sing and play one song.
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10/10
Best film I've seen all year!
cushieworld19 April 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I caught this film at the Nashville Film Festival and I am so glad I did. It was a beautiful film! I did not know about director Alberto Fuguet until I saw this, but I will be checking out his other work as soon as I can. He is brilliant! The pacing is great. As soon as it started, I found myself trying to figure out Alejandro Tazo - who he was, why he looked so despondent, why he was in Nashville. I had so many questions, which were all answered as the movie continued, but great job on having me so invested from the beginning.

The actor that played Alejandro did a great job as well. I felt so bad for him at times, as he struggled to understand English and find firm footing in Nashville. I wanted to reach out and hug him. Even though I'm a native English speaker, I felt like I could understand his pain. If I up and moved to Chile, I'd feel just as lost as he did. Once the truth of his past was revealed, I wanted to hug him even more.

The comedic relief provided by his eventual house mates was great as well. Nothing forced, nothing fake. It truly seemed like they were all house mates, and had a natural relationship. Hollywood's finest can't even recreate that.

Even though so many scenes are set in some of Nashville's most famous honky tonks, I loved that I got to see an entirely different view of my hometown from a stranger's perspective, and not just the tourist perspective. Robert Altman may have directed a famous film about Nashville, but I think Musica Campensina captured it's true spirit.

Loved it, loved it, loved it.
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