Never heard of this film and had no idea about the actors or just what this film story would reveal. The story is about two grown young men and their father who own a large farm out in the middle of the Heartland where their was a small town where farm people had their entertainment and shopping areas. Glenn Fitzgerald, (Earl Coates) and Anson Mount,(Tully Coates Jr.) are the two brothers who both give outstanding performances along with Julianne Nicholson,(Ella Smalley). Tully Coates is a good looking young man who has all the girls running after him and he seems to have more sex than he can handle. However, when he meets up with Ella his life takes a different change. This story has some very deep secrets that are eventually revealed much to everyone's surprise and if you like to see the wide open spaces with cattle close by and plenty of corn fields, this is the film for you.
44 Reviews
3.5 stars (out of 4)
mweston11 January 2003
Tully Coates, Jr. (generally just called "Tully," played by Anson Mount) and his younger brother Earl (Glenn Fitzgerald from "The Sixth Sense") live on a farm in Nebraska with their father, Tully Coates, Sr. (usually called "Mr. Coates"). We first see the brothers in a field goofing off. Earl is hurt when some dirt ends up in his eye, their father is not happy about this *and* that they aren't working, and Tully isn't too upset. This is pretty much standard operating procedure: their father has no sense of humor, Tully gets away with whatever he wants to do, and Earl comes out on the short end of the deal.
The other significant characters are the women. April Reece, who works as a stripper but prefers to call it burlesque, is seeing Tully and would like to make that exclusive. Ella Smalley (Julianne Nicholson, a bright spot from the last season of "Ally McBeal") is a tomboy friend of Earl's who is sort of interested in Tully but sees how he sleeps around. Tully and Earl's mother is unseen, having left the family long ago, but she is still an important character. And finally, Claire (Natalie Canerday from "Sling Blade"), the grocery store checkout woman, likes Mr. Coates and is probably my favorite character in the film, although it's a small role.
I won't cover the plot, since there are a number of twists along the way. That said, the characters and their interactions are the heart of this film, and if the outcome had been different the film would still have been worth watching. Every so often the acting felt forced to me, although there were also other times when I found the acting to be wonderful and I also gather that most other viewers did not feel the same way.
I saw this on 11/17/2002 at the Camera Cinema Club in Silicon Valley, CA. The director, Hilary Birmingham, was there to answer questions and to apologize repeatedly about the VHS copy that we were forced to watch due to a film print lost in transit. It actually looked substantially better than one would have expected due to the high end digital projector, and I'm told by the club programmer that the picture was only slightly cropped, from 1.66:1 to 1.33:1. The screenplay, which Birmingham helped write, is based on a short (15 page) story which took place over a substantially longer period of time than this film does. Birmingham's background is in literature and documentaries, and she cited "The Last Picture Show," "Badlands," and "Days of Heaven" as influences.
The film was shot in only 24 days, under sometimes difficult circumstances. A few scenes, for example, were shot in the director's parents' garage in Massachusetts in the dead of winter. The heaters were too loud to keep running during shooting, but it was so cold that the set cooled down too fast when the heaters were turned off. Eventually they had to wrap some insulation around the whole garage to keep the heat in. On the positive side, it rained for 14 days straight just before the farm scenes were filmed, but then *didn't* for almost the entire shooting schedule.
The film got distribution quickly, but almost as quickly the distributor went bankrupt. Since the distributor listed the film as an asset, it was held up. And since the distributor was Canadian, the filmmaker had to learn Canadian bankruptcy law in order to get her film back. So this really is a 2000 film that is just now being released.
Given my minor misgivings about the acting and the VHS "print," I would probably give this a lower rating by half a star, which would still make it a film worth seeing. My guess is that on actual film this is a gem well worth seeking out.
The other significant characters are the women. April Reece, who works as a stripper but prefers to call it burlesque, is seeing Tully and would like to make that exclusive. Ella Smalley (Julianne Nicholson, a bright spot from the last season of "Ally McBeal") is a tomboy friend of Earl's who is sort of interested in Tully but sees how he sleeps around. Tully and Earl's mother is unseen, having left the family long ago, but she is still an important character. And finally, Claire (Natalie Canerday from "Sling Blade"), the grocery store checkout woman, likes Mr. Coates and is probably my favorite character in the film, although it's a small role.
I won't cover the plot, since there are a number of twists along the way. That said, the characters and their interactions are the heart of this film, and if the outcome had been different the film would still have been worth watching. Every so often the acting felt forced to me, although there were also other times when I found the acting to be wonderful and I also gather that most other viewers did not feel the same way.
I saw this on 11/17/2002 at the Camera Cinema Club in Silicon Valley, CA. The director, Hilary Birmingham, was there to answer questions and to apologize repeatedly about the VHS copy that we were forced to watch due to a film print lost in transit. It actually looked substantially better than one would have expected due to the high end digital projector, and I'm told by the club programmer that the picture was only slightly cropped, from 1.66:1 to 1.33:1. The screenplay, which Birmingham helped write, is based on a short (15 page) story which took place over a substantially longer period of time than this film does. Birmingham's background is in literature and documentaries, and she cited "The Last Picture Show," "Badlands," and "Days of Heaven" as influences.
The film was shot in only 24 days, under sometimes difficult circumstances. A few scenes, for example, were shot in the director's parents' garage in Massachusetts in the dead of winter. The heaters were too loud to keep running during shooting, but it was so cold that the set cooled down too fast when the heaters were turned off. Eventually they had to wrap some insulation around the whole garage to keep the heat in. On the positive side, it rained for 14 days straight just before the farm scenes were filmed, but then *didn't* for almost the entire shooting schedule.
The film got distribution quickly, but almost as quickly the distributor went bankrupt. Since the distributor listed the film as an asset, it was held up. And since the distributor was Canadian, the filmmaker had to learn Canadian bankruptcy law in order to get her film back. So this really is a 2000 film that is just now being released.
Given my minor misgivings about the acting and the VHS "print," I would probably give this a lower rating by half a star, which would still make it a film worth seeing. My guess is that on actual film this is a gem well worth seeking out.
Bully for Tully!
dinky-44 January 2003
This is one of those low-budget, independent, earnest, well-intentioned, labor of love movies -- which is actually good! Leading lady Julianne Nicholson has the best set of female freckles since Lara Flynn Boyle, and leading man Anson Mount has the best pair of male nipples this side of Harry Hamlin. Glenn Fitzgerald, as the younger brother, is excellent.
A small,lovely gem!
noralee17 November 2002
"Tully" is a gem of a movie! It's the first film I've seen since the beginning of August that I've put on my "Best of 2002" list. Evidently this debut feature has apparently been sitting on a shelf for two years, probably looking for distribution.
Based on a short story, it takes a simple family story and tells it beautifully visually, economically but leisurely, while avoiding cliches. It is the best evocation of small town life since "Last Picture Show," but this is much more rural. The laconic farmer family is the best portrayed since "Straight Story," but that was propelled as a road movie, not what taciturn life on the farm is like, which poses a challenge in a communicative medium.
We see the most charming and complicated relationship between two brothers since another little movie "Smiling Fish and Goats on Fire." Surprisingly, it doesn't take the simple road of competition between the titular womanizing "bad brother" and the younger, loyal "good brother". Instead, Tully (Anson Mount is quite a hunk!) is a direct descendant of the tortured, conflicted James Dean of "East of Eden" and "Giant" (including the Oedipal conflicts there), struggling in a macho environment with his impact on women, his feelings, and his responsibilities.
With completely character appropriate dialogue and body language we watch the impact of old love and falling in love on a father and son who have no words and only gradual understanding. You can't know you're heartbroken until you know you have a heart. The women can have this impact on them because they too are not cliches; they have specific personalities, needs, and even jobs. Julianne Nicholson is very credible and expressive.
Several old men in my audience yawned loudly, so maybe this is a chick flick, but I was involved and moved by the unfolding of realizations in their past and present family and romantic relationships and how Tully comes to grips with them all, like a long, silent, overhead shot of him waking up in an empty bed that manages to communicate so much loneliness and longing.
John Foster's cinematography is simply gorgeous.
The mise en scene is common in country songs, so we're lucky that the director probably couldn't afford commercial country artists on the soundtrack for the usual cliches. Instead we have Canadian alt country singers like Fred Eaglesmith and Oh Susanna (the only names I recognized), with some blues thrown in as well such that Tully even asks what radio station could that be, as they are all very sensitive to music, as it helps them all communicate with each other. And with us.
Based on a short story, it takes a simple family story and tells it beautifully visually, economically but leisurely, while avoiding cliches. It is the best evocation of small town life since "Last Picture Show," but this is much more rural. The laconic farmer family is the best portrayed since "Straight Story," but that was propelled as a road movie, not what taciturn life on the farm is like, which poses a challenge in a communicative medium.
We see the most charming and complicated relationship between two brothers since another little movie "Smiling Fish and Goats on Fire." Surprisingly, it doesn't take the simple road of competition between the titular womanizing "bad brother" and the younger, loyal "good brother". Instead, Tully (Anson Mount is quite a hunk!) is a direct descendant of the tortured, conflicted James Dean of "East of Eden" and "Giant" (including the Oedipal conflicts there), struggling in a macho environment with his impact on women, his feelings, and his responsibilities.
With completely character appropriate dialogue and body language we watch the impact of old love and falling in love on a father and son who have no words and only gradual understanding. You can't know you're heartbroken until you know you have a heart. The women can have this impact on them because they too are not cliches; they have specific personalities, needs, and even jobs. Julianne Nicholson is very credible and expressive.
Several old men in my audience yawned loudly, so maybe this is a chick flick, but I was involved and moved by the unfolding of realizations in their past and present family and romantic relationships and how Tully comes to grips with them all, like a long, silent, overhead shot of him waking up in an empty bed that manages to communicate so much loneliness and longing.
John Foster's cinematography is simply gorgeous.
The mise en scene is common in country songs, so we're lucky that the director probably couldn't afford commercial country artists on the soundtrack for the usual cliches. Instead we have Canadian alt country singers like Fred Eaglesmith and Oh Susanna (the only names I recognized), with some blues thrown in as well such that Tully even asks what radio station could that be, as they are all very sensitive to music, as it helps them all communicate with each other. And with us.
Everything an Independent film should be
seeingstars18 January 2004
Tully investigates how the loss of a parent can mark a child and affect the adult they become.
This film earned a rare second viewing. Even with a more critical eye, the performances seemed more than genuine. The tears, glances, body language, and smiles were perfectly rendered and filmed. I blew through the still pictures shown in the opening credits during the 1st showing, but appreciated the story they told with the knowledge I had about the characters with the 2nd look.
Casting kudos for the delicious Anson Mount, the graceful Julianna Nicholson, and the sweet, wounded dad.
Yes, it's a rural-paced film. Don't be in a hurry!
This film earned a rare second viewing. Even with a more critical eye, the performances seemed more than genuine. The tears, glances, body language, and smiles were perfectly rendered and filmed. I blew through the still pictures shown in the opening credits during the 1st showing, but appreciated the story they told with the knowledge I had about the characters with the 2nd look.
Casting kudos for the delicious Anson Mount, the graceful Julianna Nicholson, and the sweet, wounded dad.
Yes, it's a rural-paced film. Don't be in a hurry!
One of the best surprises of the year!
jotix1009 December 2002
This film was like a breath of fresh air. It only played locally for a couple of weeks, if that much. Obviously, this film would have fared better had it gone to the Angelika or the Sunshine where a young crowd would have discovered it. I only caught it at the end of the run and I'm glad I did because not only it's a beautifully done, but because it's an honest account of life.
Director Hilary Birmnigham working with Matt Drake have created something rare in American cinema a well written drama with interesting and complex characters, a script that doesn't depend on special effects or the formula that most mainstream films.
The cast is superb. Anson Mount, Julianne Nicholoson, and Glenn Fitzgerald shine brightly in this film. Also Bob Burrus as the taciturn father is very effective.
I'm sure that by now it should be in DVD since it was done in 2000, you won't regret it.
Director Hilary Birmnigham working with Matt Drake have created something rare in American cinema a well written drama with interesting and complex characters, a script that doesn't depend on special effects or the formula that most mainstream films.
The cast is superb. Anson Mount, Julianne Nicholoson, and Glenn Fitzgerald shine brightly in this film. Also Bob Burrus as the taciturn father is very effective.
I'm sure that by now it should be in DVD since it was done in 2000, you won't regret it.
a rare gem: a film about real life, real people
moggy-421 April 2002
Stumbled onto this on sundance channel- what a gem.No wonder it's on sundance!How refreshing to see film about real people. And real lives have no "formula", and don't have a "neat" plot that ties up neatly at an ending(which you can usually see coming long, long before. Real life is messy, a lot more than good guys versus bad guys. See it if you can.
Tully captures the true feel of rural life.
seth2321 November 2004
Tully is a movie that captures the feel of the rural plains. Growing up in the rural plains, I feel like I know many characters in the movie. Tully Sr. reminds me of so many quiet, polite farmers I've met. The cinematography gives the feeling of blissful vastness. The film also captures the true beauty of this part of the country with it's ever blue skies, green rolling fields, and cool breezes on hot summer days. In Tully one also sees the dark side of life in a place where you might have thought the worst things to happen are Tully Jr.'s fights with his many girlfriends. Julianne Nicholson is beautiful playing the wholesome good-girl. The two brothers do a great job of portraying the good son and wild son. Facts about the characters' lives are gut-wrenching as you discover alongside Tully Jr.. This independent film blows away the typical shoot-'em-up blockbuster.
Intelligent movie about men
rosepol16 February 2003
This is one of those few good movies about men. The others --
Talk to Her, Smoke, for examples -- have male directors and
writers. Not this one. The director carries the movie -- except for
Julianne Nicholson, who deserves at least an Oscar nomination.
The focus is on men: family relations, ties to work, handling of
women, difficulty in expressing or handling emotion, resort to
physical outlets. All of which seem natural and understandable in
the context of the characters and setting of the movie. It is a
coming of age movie about a young adult male.
Despite the lack of car crashes, the movie gets its top rating from
young adult males, and, despite the importance of women and
romance, it gets its lowest ratings from women over 30. They both
know what they want and know when they get it. A guy film --
sensitive, nuanced, realistic, conflicted, and uplifting.
Talk to Her, Smoke, for examples -- have male directors and
writers. Not this one. The director carries the movie -- except for
Julianne Nicholson, who deserves at least an Oscar nomination.
The focus is on men: family relations, ties to work, handling of
women, difficulty in expressing or handling emotion, resort to
physical outlets. All of which seem natural and understandable in
the context of the characters and setting of the movie. It is a
coming of age movie about a young adult male.
Despite the lack of car crashes, the movie gets its top rating from
young adult males, and, despite the importance of women and
romance, it gets its lowest ratings from women over 30. They both
know what they want and know when they get it. A guy film --
sensitive, nuanced, realistic, conflicted, and uplifting.
Compelling and extremely well done film
ochiang15 December 2002
This film was beautifully shot and acted. The characters were extremely compelling and drew me right into the story through the ordinariness of the family and circumstances. The people in the film were complex but never felt untouchable. Felt like they could have been my neighbors. Absolutely loved the film and I am excited to see what Birmingham's next film will be.
A great movie with complex characters and full of great plot turns
mutcutts8 January 2004
This is a great little movie. I loved back story of the dead mother and the "real" father. Movies made about rural communities are simply beautiful. Working in the entertainment industry, I find it interesting that they don't shoot many movies in the great Midwest (my born home). They should make more movies like this. 9/10.
stunning film!
jkw51214 March 2008
this movie is amazing...one of the absolute best i've seen in years! i rented the DVD one weekend and watched this movie six times...i now own it and never tire of it.
i wish i had the vocabulary to describe it as it should be. i loved everything about it...the acting, the characters were familiar and real, nothing contrived. i loved the simplicity of their relationships...one of my favorites is that between Tully Sr. and Claire. i loved the landscape and scenery...the family home, barns, corn fields, the movie theater, bar, and grocery in town.
i grew up in the midwest and have since moved, but was transported back while watching this...the same small town, farms, and fields. Tully Jr. and Earl actually reminded me of my own brothers and their relationship.
the music was great and complemented the movie...very simple, subtle, beautiful!
i wish i had the vocabulary to describe it as it should be. i loved everything about it...the acting, the characters were familiar and real, nothing contrived. i loved the simplicity of their relationships...one of my favorites is that between Tully Sr. and Claire. i loved the landscape and scenery...the family home, barns, corn fields, the movie theater, bar, and grocery in town.
i grew up in the midwest and have since moved, but was transported back while watching this...the same small town, farms, and fields. Tully Jr. and Earl actually reminded me of my own brothers and their relationship.
the music was great and complemented the movie...very simple, subtle, beautiful!
kudos to the casting director
ThurstonHunger1 December 2003
I found the actors were very well chosen in this film. Having three
stoic male characters, it helps that their visages can speak when
their voices do not. The film does a smooth job of peering beneath
that surface of stoicism of each of the three male leads.
While the focus is on the twin Tullys, Senior and Junior...I actually
thought the other son Early was the most interesting, and I wish
there had been more scenes of his interaction with his brother, the
"bad boy who becomes a good man."
While that is a bit trite, the film rarely feels so...as the details along
the way are never hackneyed...and the interaction between the
cast does not feel staged. Just the opposite, the characters are so
compelling that while the plot stirs slowly, I still felt engaged.
If you like Jessica Lange/Sam Shepherd films, I think you'll enjoy
this. I did.
7/10
stoic male characters, it helps that their visages can speak when
their voices do not. The film does a smooth job of peering beneath
that surface of stoicism of each of the three male leads.
While the focus is on the twin Tullys, Senior and Junior...I actually
thought the other son Early was the most interesting, and I wish
there had been more scenes of his interaction with his brother, the
"bad boy who becomes a good man."
While that is a bit trite, the film rarely feels so...as the details along
the way are never hackneyed...and the interaction between the
cast does not feel staged. Just the opposite, the characters are so
compelling that while the plot stirs slowly, I still felt engaged.
If you like Jessica Lange/Sam Shepherd films, I think you'll enjoy
this. I did.
7/10
Family drama on a Midwest farm, doesn't quite come alive.
ahenn22 January 2005
I wanted to like this movie but found it flat. The acting consisted mainly of moving slowly and looking sad. The setting was realistic and story believable but it lacked a spark of life. Although the characters were well-casted and likable, I found that I wasn't much engaged. Julianne Nicholson did a great job as Ella, Tully's love interest. Actually I liked all the actors but they didn't cohere into a good movie. This may have been because Anson Mount, as Tully, seemed unidimensional. He didn't quite convince me in his feelings for Ella, his anger, or his pain. I kept waiting for more depth but it never came.
Even for an indie, I don't recommend Tully. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good enough to warrant the time invested.
Even for an indie, I don't recommend Tully. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good enough to warrant the time invested.
An honest farm tale that is filled with the sentient juices of emotions!
janyeap3 January 2003
Produced by Hilary Birmingham, Annie Sundberg, and included in the Best Feature nomination of the Independent Spirits Awards, this film is definitely a must-see movie.
The film's themes are not too distant from those of About Schmidt, but comes through within incredibly heartfelt and genuine feel about the story. It's easy to get totally hooked to all the characters. It's brilliantly shot, the characters molding in with the landscapes in a manner that exposes their soulful moods.
Truly a solidly good story with an honest, thought provoking, and poignant coming-of-age revelation. Absolutely top-notched performances from a lovely cast ensemble of actors! It's a farm drama that creeps with hidden dark family secrets that gradually unravel at a cool, quiet, and awesomely engaging pace. Watching the mesmerizing performance of charismatic Julianne Nicholson alone is worth the price of a regular tix. For me, she's the American version of Leslie Carron; for a friend, she's the American version of Emily Watson! Awesomely poised, simple, and charmingly charismatic, she's extremely captivating! And Glenn FitzGerald and Anson Mount in their roles as the Coates brothers - are two gorgeous youths who couldn't be more different in their personalities and traits, will sweep the audience along a truly heartfelt journey of unsuspecting events that are beautifully knitted together to their final twists. Catherine Kellner's haughty April character is just as credible as the rest of the fine cast of actors. One will even find Natalie Canaday's counter-sales lady a real sweetheart! But Bob Burrus in the role of Tully, Sr. is overwhelming in his performance as the father with the bottled-up feelings. Yep he's definitely more convincing than Jack Nicholson's Schmidt role!
This is one of those few movies that deserve a mighty applause for the good foresight of the casting agent(s). Every once of action, event and expression seems so realistic. It's easy to get so totally swept away by every character. The film does succeed in delivering honest moods of romance, parental and sibling relationships, love, seduction and jealousy, or relationship. There exist that unique sensibility that does not equate with cheesy sexual exploits or crudity. It's not even plastered with any of those distasteful hip-hop extravaganzas to draw the younger viewers. Nice easy dialogue to follow.
According to Director Hilary Birmingham at the Q&A session I attended, the unfortunate delay of the film's release was caused by unforeseen mishaps in distribution deals; firstly by an American-Canadian distribution partnership that went sour, and subsequently by one that went bankrupt. I understand that this film will be released here, sometime in January. As a low-budget film, it definitely deserves no less than a solid A rating!
Saw this movie twice and would be willing to see it again!
The film's themes are not too distant from those of About Schmidt, but comes through within incredibly heartfelt and genuine feel about the story. It's easy to get totally hooked to all the characters. It's brilliantly shot, the characters molding in with the landscapes in a manner that exposes their soulful moods.
Truly a solidly good story with an honest, thought provoking, and poignant coming-of-age revelation. Absolutely top-notched performances from a lovely cast ensemble of actors! It's a farm drama that creeps with hidden dark family secrets that gradually unravel at a cool, quiet, and awesomely engaging pace. Watching the mesmerizing performance of charismatic Julianne Nicholson alone is worth the price of a regular tix. For me, she's the American version of Leslie Carron; for a friend, she's the American version of Emily Watson! Awesomely poised, simple, and charmingly charismatic, she's extremely captivating! And Glenn FitzGerald and Anson Mount in their roles as the Coates brothers - are two gorgeous youths who couldn't be more different in their personalities and traits, will sweep the audience along a truly heartfelt journey of unsuspecting events that are beautifully knitted together to their final twists. Catherine Kellner's haughty April character is just as credible as the rest of the fine cast of actors. One will even find Natalie Canaday's counter-sales lady a real sweetheart! But Bob Burrus in the role of Tully, Sr. is overwhelming in his performance as the father with the bottled-up feelings. Yep he's definitely more convincing than Jack Nicholson's Schmidt role!
This is one of those few movies that deserve a mighty applause for the good foresight of the casting agent(s). Every once of action, event and expression seems so realistic. It's easy to get so totally swept away by every character. The film does succeed in delivering honest moods of romance, parental and sibling relationships, love, seduction and jealousy, or relationship. There exist that unique sensibility that does not equate with cheesy sexual exploits or crudity. It's not even plastered with any of those distasteful hip-hop extravaganzas to draw the younger viewers. Nice easy dialogue to follow.
According to Director Hilary Birmingham at the Q&A session I attended, the unfortunate delay of the film's release was caused by unforeseen mishaps in distribution deals; firstly by an American-Canadian distribution partnership that went sour, and subsequently by one that went bankrupt. I understand that this film will be released here, sometime in January. As a low-budget film, it definitely deserves no less than a solid A rating!
Saw this movie twice and would be willing to see it again!
You May Never Have Heard of This Movie, But It's Well Worth Your Time
evanston_dad30 April 2008
A fine little family drama I had never heard of, but which I'm now completely glad that I've seen.
The title character of "Tully" is a young man struggling to come of age on the farm he works with his father and younger brother. Rebellious in spirit and darkly good looking, he's more socially and sexually experienced than his brother, and has a more contentious relationship with his dad. When a family secret surfaces, though, it becomes apparent that his bravado masks a great deal of insecurity, and proves that though he may be mature in some ways, he has a lot of maturing still to do in others.
"Tully" has a quiet, low-key quality to it that I very much liked. It has a feel for the natural rhythms of rural life and the people who inhabit it. Grand epiphanies, emotional showdowns and the other stuff of traditional family dramas are not present here; instead, turning points and realizations take place subtly and quietly. Many times it's the moments of silence that convey more than scenes filled with dialogue.
The acting is tremendous, and the actors themselves inhabit these characters naturally and flawlessly. Even Tully (Anson Mount), who's supposed to be charismatic and handsome, is charismatic and handsome in the way that someone would actually be in real life, not in the way that movie stars are.
Grade: A
The title character of "Tully" is a young man struggling to come of age on the farm he works with his father and younger brother. Rebellious in spirit and darkly good looking, he's more socially and sexually experienced than his brother, and has a more contentious relationship with his dad. When a family secret surfaces, though, it becomes apparent that his bravado masks a great deal of insecurity, and proves that though he may be mature in some ways, he has a lot of maturing still to do in others.
"Tully" has a quiet, low-key quality to it that I very much liked. It has a feel for the natural rhythms of rural life and the people who inhabit it. Grand epiphanies, emotional showdowns and the other stuff of traditional family dramas are not present here; instead, turning points and realizations take place subtly and quietly. Many times it's the moments of silence that convey more than scenes filled with dialogue.
The acting is tremendous, and the actors themselves inhabit these characters naturally and flawlessly. Even Tully (Anson Mount), who's supposed to be charismatic and handsome, is charismatic and handsome in the way that someone would actually be in real life, not in the way that movie stars are.
Grade: A
Nuanced, profound emotion and rare movie-making
Peegee-34 November 2002
In terms of the impact of subtely expressed and deeply felt emotion, relationships that weather tragedy with grace and love, without a maudlin, sentimental or cliched moment, this film is about as close to perfect as any I've seen in American cinema!
It's mystery and spiritual reality lie in the pacing, the silences, the things NOT said. A work of art!!
Significant symbolism springs from the wide farmland setting. The movie focuses mainly on Tully, a handsome womanizing young man who works on his father's farm along with his brother,Earl, sensitive, girl-shy. Ella (beautifully played by Julianne Nicholson) is a bright young farm girl, studying to be a veterinarian . She brings to Tully a fuller reading of who he is than he's had with the other young women (his right-on reflection of the behavior of an almost-unknown mother). The father, Tully Sr. (movingly portrayed by Bob Burrus) relates to his sons with kindness, but with minimum verbal or outward affection. The story, a complex one, brings all four people into a profound interplay, each life affected by outer events and inner responses...all paced with sensitivity and humanity.
My deep thanks to Hilary Birmingham, the director, as well as the writers and all those who brought this lovely film into our lives!
It's mystery and spiritual reality lie in the pacing, the silences, the things NOT said. A work of art!!
Significant symbolism springs from the wide farmland setting. The movie focuses mainly on Tully, a handsome womanizing young man who works on his father's farm along with his brother,Earl, sensitive, girl-shy. Ella (beautifully played by Julianne Nicholson) is a bright young farm girl, studying to be a veterinarian . She brings to Tully a fuller reading of who he is than he's had with the other young women (his right-on reflection of the behavior of an almost-unknown mother). The father, Tully Sr. (movingly portrayed by Bob Burrus) relates to his sons with kindness, but with minimum verbal or outward affection. The story, a complex one, brings all four people into a profound interplay, each life affected by outer events and inner responses...all paced with sensitivity and humanity.
My deep thanks to Hilary Birmingham, the director, as well as the writers and all those who brought this lovely film into our lives!
Big little indie
=G=20 April 2002
In "The Truth About Tully" upstart director Birmingham fleshes out her characters well in this plodding, lyrical, and poignant film about hard working middle-American men coping with family, financial, and personal issues. The film captures the expansiveness of Nebraska farmland, the austere and laconic work ethic the farmer, and human issues with which most can identify melding them into a story of selfless love, courage, redemption, and more. Well worth a look by most, especially indie lovers and people who appreciate the toil of American's breadbasket.
Footnote - I was born in Hutchinson, KS, a town oft mentioned in the film, and happened upon the flick on the Sundance channel. Tivo gave this film 3.5 stars; generous for them as they seldom rate anything less than a classic that high.
Footnote - I was born in Hutchinson, KS, a town oft mentioned in the film, and happened upon the flick on the Sundance channel. Tivo gave this film 3.5 stars; generous for them as they seldom rate anything less than a classic that high.
a wonderful job
Moira_aka_Mia26 January 2005
this movie is set in a small farming town like the one I grew up in. the characters are like people I know, exactly like them. what happens to them is just like real life. this movie may not have thrilled me, but it resonated with every fiber in my body. I really understood Tully Sr most of all. I know why he did what he did and it's natural the way he did it. I know people who have done things like that. I understand. I feel like that myself sometimes. especially at the end of the movie, I understand everything that happens and that life goes on and there is never a resolution.
I like this movie, and I like it even more because it didn't try to please me with flash and pomp. it was just real. it didn't need to be anything more. highly recommended.
I like this movie, and I like it even more because it didn't try to please me with flash and pomp. it was just real. it didn't need to be anything more. highly recommended.
A Perfect ten...no kidding...a character driven masterpiece
mellison-25 May 2005
It's official for me...I love character driven movies. Tully is one of the best I 've seen since You Can Count on Me. (Laura Linney was perfection) Give me a great script, thoughtful directing and powerful acting and I am a happy camper. Tully gave me all that and more. Tully blew me away scene after scene. This movie was so well written. The word masterpiece comes to mind. The dialogue rang true due to its simplicity. The characters talked like real people, not the corny diatribe you hear in so many of Hollywood's so called blockbusters. The father of Tully gave a spectacular performance. I ran down to the local video store just to talk about it with Karen, our town movie expert. She took it home that night....I'll get back to you on her thoughts. I guess what I liked about it most was what I said before, it was a simple character driven story of two sons on a farm with their father. Their lives drove the story. The story was told from the oldest son's point of view-Tully. He and his father (Bob Burrus) differed on how to run the family farm. Burrus was simply awesome as the grief stricken, workaholic father. He was an obviously sympathetic character, but he still delivered the goods with amazing intensity and subtle sentiment, scene after scene. The music was effective in its own way. It was SO nice to feel what I wanted to feel, without the soundtrack dictating my emotions. The script moved me as did the terrific ensemble cast. This is one of my favorite movies of the last 10 years and I watch a lot of movies. This movie moved me to tears several times and I am not that big of a softy. Step outside of the box next time you go to rent a movie and give Tully a chance, you will SO glad you did.
not just characters, they're the private people down the road
FussyFan12 November 2003
At first blush, *Tully* is populated with farm-life caricatures played by actors you may never remember seeing before. I sure didn't know any of them. These caricatures quickly become well-acted characters the audience cares about. Then, before you know what's happening, these are real people letting you eavesdrop on their lives and secrets. They are strong individuals, each with his/her own hopes and hangups. Few headline-capturing, everyone-knows-them stars could have captured the raw emotional depth and complexity of this family --- their very stardom would have gotten in the way. Kudos to writer, director, actors -- and casting -- for a top-rate, moving film. Rarely are we privilege to such a deft portrayal of the contrast between individual human vulnerability and our necessary protective shells.
See this film!
pamelajoyking10 December 2004
Was it great acting or great directing or a great script that made this film work so well? The people in the movie Tully are not one dimensional, they are real people. I loved all of them. The way the father pursed his lips.
The way Tully sometimes looked handsome, sometimes plain. The way Ella gave just the right thing at the right time. The way the clerk cheerfully bantered. The way Earl corrected Tully's misremembering. The town sleaze's greasy humor. I wish I knew any of them, even April! :) The main thing that struck me about Tully is the trueness of the dialog. It was minimal, the way people really are, shown from the outside in, without being corny. Everyone gave great performances. The movie is special. Hope I see more of every actor in this film, all of whom were new to me. All were MEMORABLE. That says a lot because I think I have early Alzheimers! Too bad this movie wasn't a hit. I wish I lived on a farm and/or had this kind of sensitive, nuanced experience everyday! Unpretentious.
The way Tully sometimes looked handsome, sometimes plain. The way Ella gave just the right thing at the right time. The way the clerk cheerfully bantered. The way Earl corrected Tully's misremembering. The town sleaze's greasy humor. I wish I knew any of them, even April! :) The main thing that struck me about Tully is the trueness of the dialog. It was minimal, the way people really are, shown from the outside in, without being corny. Everyone gave great performances. The movie is special. Hope I see more of every actor in this film, all of whom were new to me. All were MEMORABLE. That says a lot because I think I have early Alzheimers! Too bad this movie wasn't a hit. I wish I lived on a farm and/or had this kind of sensitive, nuanced experience everyday! Unpretentious.
Like smelling daylilies through the car window on a dirt road
zan44428 April 2002
I was surprised to hear that the director was urban. I came upon this movie late at night on Sundance, and found my self suddenly at home in the country I no longer live in. Life on a farm is usually portrayed in movies so inauthentically. This movie made me homesick, and kept the characters far away from the usual cliches.
A masterpiece
danielharrisbaer11 February 2003
It was the strangest thing...I was looking for movies to see in Gainesville, which usually is a lack there of...and I came across Tully, read the reviews and decided that I should go check it out. Although I never usually base a decision on reviews, I knew too little about this flick to judge it on actors, especially Anson Mount, who was in the horrible, shouldn't have been made "Crossroads." However, Anson Mount was incredible in this role. While the theater should have had tumbleweeds blowing through with the lack of attendance, it is a movie that reminded me why I wanted to be a screenplay writer to begin with. It was beautifully directed, especially the final scene, the actors were truly acting, not worrying about a paycheck, and the script was near perfectly written. I left the movie theater and felt that I got my money's worth. After seeing this movie, I went home and began to write. "Tully" shows how amazing the Sundance Film Festival really is. I can tell you this much, Anson Mount might not always make great choices for roles, but after seeing him in this movie, I can vouch on his behalf that he is a guy that was born to act. It's exciting again to see actors who care about what they are doing, and not for greed purposes. As for the director, Hilary Birmingham, I anxiously await to see her next project. If you want to see a movie that demonstrates how actors should act, writers should write, and directors should direct, I highly advise you to check out Tully. And as you know with most artsy type movies, it won't last long, they'll snag it out of the theaters for movies like: Friday Part 4 or Halloween Part 2.
Simply a beautiful film. I'd see it again in a second!
heymuche30 July 2001
This film crept up on me. The characters in this film are just so well written and portrayed that I found myself really sympathising and connecting with them from start to finish. Frankly I was enjoying the film so much I didn't want it to end! And the imagery was beautiful - I am a big fan of good cinematography not to mention the scenery of country USA. So the pictures took me right there with the characters.
The acting was a great surprise. I don't see many small [distribution wise] films so I was expecting ordinary acting - but I was amazed at the quality! I think many of the cast from this film will be seen doing big things real soon especially the youth in this film. I just fell in love with Anson Mount he was great and Julianne was perfectly casted in her role as the boys friend.
And the ending had me in tears. But it also had its light-hearted moments that endeared yourself to the film early on! I found this film to be a hidden treasure in a period of huge awful blockbusters like Tomb Raider and Swordfish.
I can't wait to see what Hilary Birmingham comes out with next! 10 out of 10 from me!
The acting was a great surprise. I don't see many small [distribution wise] films so I was expecting ordinary acting - but I was amazed at the quality! I think many of the cast from this film will be seen doing big things real soon especially the youth in this film. I just fell in love with Anson Mount he was great and Julianne was perfectly casted in her role as the boys friend.
And the ending had me in tears. But it also had its light-hearted moments that endeared yourself to the film early on! I found this film to be a hidden treasure in a period of huge awful blockbusters like Tomb Raider and Swordfish.
I can't wait to see what Hilary Birmingham comes out with next! 10 out of 10 from me!
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