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Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   1,513 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jeff Nichols
Writer:
Jeff Nichols (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Shotgun Stories on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 March 2008 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Thriller more
Plot:
Shotgun Stories tracks a feud that erupts between two sets of half brothers following the death of their father... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
4 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(30 articles)
The Missing Person: Michael Shannon
 (From Tribeca Film. 18 November 2009, 5:45 AM, PST)
We Can't Wait #18 Whatever Works
 (From FilmExperience. 5 February 2009, 9:30 AM, PST)
User Comments:
In the Name of the Father more (17 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Michael Shannon ... Son Hayes
Douglas Ligon ... Boy Hayes

Barlow Jacobs ... Kid Hayes
Natalie Canerday ... Nicole

Glenda Pannell ... Annie Hayes
Lynnsee Provence ... Stephen Hayes
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Abbott Jr. ... Cleaman Hayes
Coley Canpany ... Cheryl

Lance Christopher ... Fish Farm Worker
Will Hahn ... Farm Hand
Gary Hawkins ... J.J.
Cole Hendrixson ... Carter
Mark W. Johnson ... Amos
Tom Kagy ... Red
Vivian Morrison Norman ... Melissa
Hannah Payne ... Funeral Attendee

Cosmo Pfeil ... Norman
Tucker Prentiss ... Paul
Wyatt Ashton Prentiss ... Kevin
David Rhodes ... John Hayes
Travis Smith ... Mark Hayes
G. Alan Wilkins ... Shampoo
more
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violence, thematic elements and brief strong language.
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
92 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
USA:PG-13 | UK:12A | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13
Company:
A Lucky Old Sun Production more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The majority of the principal photography took place in 2004. more
Movie Connections:
References An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
14 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
In the Name of the Father, 17 June 2008
10/10
Author: MacAindrais from Canada

Shotgun Stories (2007) ****

Having been ignored and pushed aside by big studios and distributors, and overshadowed by big money makers, Jeff Nichols Shotgun Stories has gotten limited release. As much as I enjoy finding the hidden gems, it always makes me a little bit sad to see a film so great passed over. Filmed primarily in 2004, and released last year, Shotgun Stories has gotten a nice word of mouth and critical following. Roger Ebert announced it would play at his Overlooked Film Festival, and recently published a 4 star review.

The film centers on Son Hayes and his brothers, Boy and Kid. They were given their names by their alcoholic deadbeat father, who birthed them, left them as if they were never born, then reformed his ways, stopped drinking, became a born again Christian and fathered a new family. The boys were left, as Son says, to be "raised by a hateful woman," who taught them to hate their fathers new family, and they do. When their father dies, the brothers show up at his funeral, make an impromptu speech, which the new sons, with proper names, do not take kindly to.

Writer/director Nichols handles his film with the greatest of care. Not a word of dialogue is uttered that seems implausible. Nothing is wasted on exposition. For instance, what we know about the Father, we learn only through the brief speech made by Son at the funeral. It feels real, it feels to the point, and best of all, in a few short words it never feels like exposition. Nichols takes his time, never rushing, but wasting nothing. The end result is a visceral experience. The actors all deliver excellent performances, especially Michael Shannon, who seems to be off and on in a lot of roles. Here he is definitely on.

This film gets under your skin, takes you into the world of these characters and never lets you go. There are deaths in the film, and when it happens midway through, a sense of loss, of sadness, and of rage is felt by the audience for the remainder.

It never boils down into a standard revenge film, but simply muddles in the mundane and sad lives of its characters. Although this film exudes a sense of sadness that few other films could aspire to, its not depressing. I would not dare reveal the films resolution, only to say that it comes sensibly, after a moment of great realization. Nichols shows himself to be a serious filmmaker to watch in the future. This is a profound and wise film. And a great one too

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Shotgun Stories (2007)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Christian forgiveness and worldly responsibilities? jabr72
Quezzie about Son's scars... (SPOILER) covenant12
Question About 'Boy' Matrix-Rules
Excellent movie savannah-4
120V HLB1
Turning Point in Plot -- SPOILER WARNING noralee
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