Killer Diller (2004)

A guitar playing car thief meets an autistic savant piano player, and together they transform a group of reluctant halfway house convicts into The Killer Diller Blues Band.

Director:

Tricia Brock

Writers:

Clyde Edgerton (novel), Tricia Brock (screenplay)

Stars:

Lucas Black, William Lee Scott, Fred Willard

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Lee Scott	...	Wesley
Lucas Black	...	Vernon
Fred Willard	...	Ned
John Michael Higgins	...	Deermont
W. Earl Brown	...	Holister
Taj Mahal	...	J.R. Cox
Mary Kay Place	...	Dr. Gwen Bradley
Robert Wisdom	...	Moker
Ashley Johnson	...	Angie
Niki J. Crawford	...	Shanita
RonReaco Lee	...	Ben
Lawrence Lowe	...	Lonnie
Jared Tyler	...	Raymond
Davenia McFadden	...	Deputy Rhodell Larkin
Matt Clark	...	Barge Captain

Storyline

A guitar playing car thief meets an autistic savant piano player, and together they transform a group of reluctant halfway house convicts into The Killer Diller Blues Band.

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Plot Keywords:

halfway house | band | thief | piano | guitar | 

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Taglines:

Trouble brought them together. The music set them free.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bottleneck

Filming Locations:

Columbia, Missouri, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,346, 28 April 2006, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bulwark Entertainment, Sprocketdyne Entertainment

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The bar scenes were filmed in Glasgow Missouri. The bar is still in operation today and is called the Fish Beak Saloon.

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Connections

Remake of The Car Kid (2002)

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Soundtracks

Judge Boushay's Blues
Written by Furry Lewis
Arranged by Tree Adams

User Reviews

Killer Diller Rockin' Blues

I almost didn't see the movie because of the title, then I read the description in the SXSW directory, and I'm glad I did; it's up there amongst my favorite films from the 2004 selections.

A real killer diller, can really play, according to Vernon (Lucas Black), an austic savant at piano, who crosses paths with Wesley (William Lee Scott), a car thief sent in a halfway house. Wesley has a way of getting into trouble, but this time, manages to get something right, by striking up a friendship with Vernon, and turning the halfway house gospel group into a rockin band. The music is real killer diller, the acting engaging, and the crisis is plotted out very realistically. Scott and Black both do outstanding jobs in their roles, and they have chemistry as unlikely friends; you believe the bond. W. Earl Brown is equally believable as the gruff, loving father who does what he can to love and protect his son. Fred Willard, as the director of the halfway house, provides comic relief by believing in his mission to help the kids and in joyfully spiting his brother, who doesn't think a bunch of criminals belong in their community.

The music is outstanding; director Tricia Brock got the blues, by bringing in real bluesmen like Keb Mo' and Tree Adams to work the soundtrack and to work with the Killer Diller Blues Band. And actress Niki Crawford does her own singing (and the SXSW audience heard live proof of it). I hope there is a soundtrack released; the music is hot, rocking blues. See this movie!