The Slaughter Rule (2002)

Directors:

Alex Smith
Andrew J. Smith

Writers (WGA):

Alex Smith (written by) &
Andrew J. Smith (written by)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Plot:

A young man finds solace with a young woman, his mother, and a high-school football coach who recruits him to quarterback a six-man team.

Plot Keywords:

American Football | Gay Interest | Diabetic | Gay Friend | Rancher's Son

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Ryan Gosling	...	Roy Chutney
David Morse	...	Gideon 'Gid' Ferguson
Clea DuVall	...	Skyla Sisco
David Cale	...	Floyd aka Studebaker
Eddie Spears	...	Tracy Two Dogs
Kelly Lynch	...	Evangeline Chutney
Amy Adams	...	Doreen
Ken White	...	Russ Colfax
Noah Watts	...	Waylon Walks Along
Kim DeLong	...	Lem Axelrod
Geraldine Keams	...	Gretchen Two Dogs
Douglas Seybern	...	Uncle Peyton
Cody Harvey	...	Coach Motlow
Melkon Andonian	...	Devo
J.P. Gabriel	...	Jute

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexual content.

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Centerville, Montana, USA

Company:

Solaris

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003) (TV)

Moody film with gripping characters that move the film.

This movie's tone captures the atmosphere that fuels the main characters' angst and ennui. There are characters that seem purposely written vague as a story devise. Things revealed about them make this devise effective. One teen's survival seems to be the salvation for so many. But the main character is not a Christ figure. Gosling has played this type of character before -- Trapped between doing the right thing and rebelling against himself ("The Believer"). A gripping character study. David Morse continues to demonstrate his versatility. And the cinematography paints the bleak surroundings that inform the consciousness of Gosling's character. Clea Duvall gives good misunderstood-tortured-soul, and the secondary characters were all appropriately shallow and callous. There was no effort to break ground with this film. But the filmmakers did manage to capture ordinary moments, pause over them and offer some insights. No one will mistake this for the Coen brothers, but they, too, started with basic ideas and developed a unique style of film-making that was shaped by their early experiences and the story arc of their own maturation. Small films like this are a luxury for young actors, most of who are pushed to become silver screen icons as a heartthrobs, action muscle or totally irreverent rakes. Gosling -- for one -- is getting an opportunity to hone his skills as a character actor and cane likely find work no matter what the genre. Morese also will not hurt for work and Duvall has shown that she rises above the roles she's asked to play. I think there is more good work to come for all of them. There is should be more good work from these filmmakers as well. How they handle more complex material will be the next thing to watch for.