Full disclosure, I loved every one of the films Ed Burns has written/directed. I'm not blind to the fact that Burns and I are about the same age and from the same part of the country. My friends and I are in closer tune with his themes, etc.
But there is something bigger going on here:
1. Burns ability to make such great films on such small budgets, is like the team in baseball with the lowest payroll making the playoffs. He does more with less. I couldn't believe that this one was 3 million which I found out after watching.
2. He gets more out of actors than most directors. The Groomsmen is an example of that. A lot may have to do with the long shots of scenes that are amazing. Actors can actually act and he lets them be "the talent" as much as he is as w/d.
3. Funny and dramatic and deep and loving and special. All his films have this, but Groomsman is "extra" all of these things.
In this already special body of work Burns has, Groomsman stands out. I loved them all, but this one is special. See it right away.
One other thing.... When the film ended the first thing I thought was that Donal Logue should win an Oscar for his performance in this film. I was happy when watching the director's commentary that Burns raved about his acting. Everyone in The Groomsman was great, but he was superb.
But there is something bigger going on here:
1. Burns ability to make such great films on such small budgets, is like the team in baseball with the lowest payroll making the playoffs. He does more with less. I couldn't believe that this one was 3 million which I found out after watching.
2. He gets more out of actors than most directors. The Groomsmen is an example of that. A lot may have to do with the long shots of scenes that are amazing. Actors can actually act and he lets them be "the talent" as much as he is as w/d.
3. Funny and dramatic and deep and loving and special. All his films have this, but Groomsman is "extra" all of these things.
In this already special body of work Burns has, Groomsman stands out. I loved them all, but this one is special. See it right away.
One other thing.... When the film ended the first thing I thought was that Donal Logue should win an Oscar for his performance in this film. I was happy when watching the director's commentary that Burns raved about his acting. Everyone in The Groomsman was great, but he was superb.