Rudderless (2014)

A grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son's demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding some catharsis.

Director:

William H. Macy

Writers:

Casey Twenter, Jeff Robison

Stars:

Billy Crudup, Anton Yelchin, Felicity Huffman

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Miles Heizer	...	Josh
Aly Lovelace	...	Mary Beth (as Alexandra Lovelace)
Billy Crudup	...	Sam
Casey Twenter	...	Casey
David A. Flannery	...	Jacob Taylor (aka Dorm Dude) (as David Adam Flannery)
Eric Starkey	...	Brent
Kenneisha Thompson	...	Keri
Ali Meyer	...	Female Newscaster #2
Lance West	...	Male Newscaster #2
Kevin Ogle	...	Male Newscaster
Linda Cavanaugh	...	Female Newscaster
Jennifer Savidge	...	Brent's Wife
Jamie Chung	...	Lisa Martin
Felicity Huffman	...	Emily
Phil Deberry	...	Favorite Uncle

Storyline

A grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son's demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding some catharsis.

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Plot Keywords:

intergenerational friendship | school shooting | loss of son | demo tape | grieving father | 

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Taglines:

The way back begins with a single chord.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 2015 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Bez kormila

Filming Locations:

Oklahoma, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$37,440, 17 October 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$37,440, 17 October 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Unified Pictures, Tee Rob Pictures, Amberdale Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Billy Crudup sings the songs in the movie, and he plays his own guitar. During the filming of Almost Famous (2000), he really took to playing guitar and has played ever since.

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Goofs

After Emily leaves Josh's things for Sam and he refuses to take them on his boat, he goes back to the boat and starts eating a sandwich with lettuce. He looks back to Josh's things and when the scene cuts back, there is no lettuce on the sandwich.

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Quotes

Sam: I don't drink.
Quick: You best check your cologne because you smell like you drink.

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: William H. Macy/Kenny Smith/The Districts (2015)

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Soundtracks

Home
Written by Simon Steadman & Charlton Pettus
Performed by Billy Crudup
Performed by Anton Yelchin & Billy Crudup
Performed by Ben Limpic
Produced by SolidState
Courtesy of Nakatomi Plaza Publishing/Margerine Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Great movie, great music, forgettable title

We saw this film today at our movie preview club. Wow! Best film I've seen so far this year (although the big guns have yet to come out). The only problem with it is I can't for the life of me remember the film's name in order to tell my friends to go see it.

It's not easy writing and directing an original movie that has a new slant on a familiar topic - a tragic mass murder at a school in which the main character's son dies. To do it poignantly and lovingly, and add in some really terrific music, is to accomplish a great deal indeed.

There's a lot to like here. Billy Crudup, in virtually every scene, shows his depth as an actor as he tries to come to terms with his cataclysmic loss. The music that Crudup's character discovers is well beyond good, and it's used effectively to move the story along and just plain listen to. The band members who help play the music add exuberance, the anxiety of youth, and humor. One great moment: When the band plays the children's song "The Wheels on the Bus."

Macy proves to be an excellent story-teller. Not much back story about any character, but none is needed, because this film takes place in an ever-evolving present. And - without saying a word about what it is - Macy does the most difficult thing to do in a film: he nails the ending. I'm ready to go see it again.