Tater Tot & Patton (2017) User Reviews

A little slow, but redeeming ending

[linear-descent · 6/10 · 26 June 2020]

The movie plods along pretty slowly. If it wasn't for the superb acting by Bates Wilder, I think I would have turned this off probably about a third of the way through the movie. But I'm happy I didn't because the ending of the film was well done with respectable character development. The story line is not too complicated, no real Hollywood-style surprises or suspense or twists, just two characters slowly learning to accept each other while their lives unfold before them and they slowly let their guards down to let the other in on their life.

It was not quite what I expected from watching the trailer, I was hoping for a bit faster pace, but I didn't think this movie was a total waste of time either. Some good character development, again great acting by Bates Wilder in a subdued presentation, and some humor tossed in here and there to keep me interested. Often times though I thought that the cinematography missed out on filming the great backdrop of S. Dakota.

Cute movie

[marshalynn14-778-280665 · 7/10 · 2 July 2020]

A movie about broken people coming together and getting better. I thought it was sweet

not a 9 or 10 like some would suggest but...

[natcalgary · 7/10 · 18 September 2019]

A solid 6.9 which is great for an indie film.

a nice story of how an estranged uncle and niece pairing change the lives of each other for the better....

6.9

Love the leads!

[wendygelle · 7/10 · 23 May 2020]

Great acting, just noticed some of the supporting actors have a southern accent which South Dakotans don't have:-)

Not bad

[brettbentman · 30 June 2021]

Coming of age like. The leads are terrific not sure why it's not more recognized. Maybe a bad distributor? Good film you should watch it soon!

Just OK.

[karenbullock-85164 · 6/10 · 26 September 2020]

This is a familiar story about two people from different generations , both with a sense of entitlement. Both feel sorry for themselves and both take it out on each other. Each one having their own little pity party. They find something to bond over, in this case mutual loss, then help each other to face that loss and move on without self destructing. It's a case of misery loves company and finally seeing the futility of making themselves miserable. Oh, if it was only that easy to cope with loss.

What this film tries, but fails to convey is that life is a series of losses and overcoming that loss is what inevitably, brings maturity.

Fantastic

[mrphreek-982-886834 · 10/10 · 22 September 2018]

Every so often a film so perfect arrives that you can't help but wonder what magic brought it all together. You laugh, you cry, you become completely engaged in the story to the point that it feels like you just sat down when it ends. It resonates so much that you can't stop thinking about it and feeling the range of emotions it conjured. Tater Tot and Patton is that film.

Erwin (Bates Wilder) lives on a South Dakota ranch. He wakes up, pees, drinks a raw egg and beer, does some work, drinks more beer, does more work, drinks even more beer and passes out only to relive it all the next day, that is, until his teenage niece from Los Angeles comes to stay with him. Andie (Jessica Rothe) is the quintessential popular millennial girl - entitled, dependent on technology, raging with attitude. She's there on an ultimatum from her mother, rehab or the ranch. Of course, this leads to personality conflicts with hilarious results, though even more interesting is their journey from coming to a mutual understanding to being best friends that reveal their darkest secrets and help each other work through them. It may sound like just another odd couple scenario, but there's so much more going on here.

Director Andrew Kightlinger somehow delivers heart without being corny, a feat revealing the true depth of his talent. His realistic visual style beautifully blends the composition of early Steven Spielberg with George Romero's quick-edit cover-your-ass style of filmmaking. He also plays with focus effectively, adding a touch of dreaming psychedelia to his vision.

The performances are completely stunning as well. A man of few words, Erwin speaks through his actions and expressions and Wilder consistently nails it without a single misstep. Rothe plays an annoying millennial teenage girl just enough that you don't turn against her right away, instead winning you over with an understanding of why she is the way she is. Even Forest Weber gives his all in his supporting role of Richie the ranch hand turned love interest.

With so much focus on A list actors and blockbuster shenanigans, it's nice to see a simple film grounded in the emotions we experience every day. We know these things because we feel these things from the moment we wake up to the time we fall asleep. It's everything a film should be, and done on a shoestring budget to boot. The next time somebody says, "They don't make movies like that anymore," put on Tater Tot and Patton to prove them wrong.

Started okay, but went to the dark side

[joelashley-704-631621 · 5/10 · 13 July 2020]

I began getting tied up in this one 15 minutes in. The acting is good. Most other parameters are also good.

But about half way in the music and storyline became depressing. Too much of characters drinking or getting potted doesn't help. I have little tolerance for real people hiding in a can or bottle, and don't need minute-after-minute exposure to it masquerading as entertainment. Too much of people wizzing too; I don't know why screenwriters and directors think that adds to their films. It has no value and is unnecessary to the story.

Mostly we hated the negative turn this film took suddenly. Darkness descended, moods switched inexplicably to deep depression, and the music tone tanked. Towards film end we see why, but regardless there is not enough salvation at the very end to pull viewers out of the funk forced onto us.

Simple, Yet Beautiful

[jeff-2051 · 8/10 · 14 July 2019]

This is not a complicated story. These are not complicated characters. This is . . . quite simply, a beautiful film with wonderful acting, and simple, beautiful, direction.

Cryptic

[fmwongmd · 5/10 · 3 July 2020]

There isn't much context or dialogue. You are left alone to try to figure it out and wonder if it's worth the effort.

Very well written indie.

[zblinks · 9/10 · 12 April 2019]

This little indie film hits every beat in a melodic story. The film benefits from superb performances from the veteran bit actor Bates Wilder (Joy) and from up and comer Jessica Rotthe (Happy Death Day, La La Land). These two have a compelling chemistry from the very first time they share the screen. They swiftly create a believable dynamic that reveals the craft of this screen writer's ability to handle dialogue. This film does not fall into the overwritten dialogue trap that most indie writer/director films suffer from. Kightlinger executed this script with great restraint. He allowed the performers to bring their touches to the characters. The choice of location is almost as stark as one can imagine. It serves a purpose to give one a sense of complete isolation and yet it feels like a place we all know and find beautiful. This is a film that would have been a darling for indie spirit awards if it had a slightly bigger named actor attached. It is well written, directed, edited and scored. For a small film it has big heart.

A Plethora Of Bodily Fluids

[mcjensen-05924 · 2/10 · 30 July 2023]

We got uninating! We got puking! We even have some spitting! There's a fluid for everyone here, folks. Not the lead actress is excellent. Very east to look at and believable in her role. She was very well cast, actually. The uncle? Just a bit over the top portrayal of a guy living alone after the death of his wife. Eating out of canned goods and being a general idiot, mean to everyone around him. At the 55 minute mark I was wondering what the point of it all was. It starts pretty well but eventually the music will start grating on your nerves. I'm not sure why these smaller movies generally tend to tinkling pretentious slop music. The peripheral character of the young man who shows interest in her ends up being a dud. There's some genuine moments between the main characters though, and i suppose that's the point. But unfortunately overall the old guy was just too much of a downer to handle. It's difficult when one of your main characters is a complete nozzle. I get why he was doing what he was doing, sure. But the way he went about it was done lazily. Cliches abound. Too much didn't add up or ring sincere for me. The cinematography was very well done. Way too many closeups.

~ Visceral connection ~

[cytomark · 9/10 · 19 August 2021]

Oddly enough I was searching on Roku for things relating to General Patton after visiting the museum in his name with my son at Ft. Knox this day. Obviously the title of this film surfaced. I gave it a chance.

I'm not quite sure why it resonated and was so emotional for me. But the underlying tenant I feel is, how lucky I am to not be so alone. To be isolated without friends and family members to support you, I can't imagine. Add in losing the love of your life... this film, with patience and cinematic wonder, delivers an emotional trail worth treading.

Kudos to the direction, production, screenwriting, and most definitely acting.

The worst movie EVER!

[robertmckaig · 1/10 · 30 May 2020]

I will make it quick and easy. This movie has NO redeeming qualities. Possibly the WORST movie EVER made.

Bottle it up or bust it loose.

[wilsp-25512 · 9/10 · 21 July 2020]

If you have no one right now or anyone yesterday and the prospects for tomorrow are looking slim, don't quit looking. There's a friend hiding in your shadow just waiting to give you some light. Watch this flick. Then have a beer with a long time buddy. You won't be disappointed with either.

South Dakota girl !!!!

[bmccarty-623-824974 · 10/10 · 14 March 2020]

Filmed in my hometown so I'm a little bias. Very good film. It moves slow but that's true SD speed.