It's very hard to sum up this film as it's so unusual. If you like Holywood blockbusters then this is not the film for you. It is very slow, but so beautifully shot, and well acted that you are totally engrossed by it's magic, charm and quirkiness. A young boy finds a guitar, and sings and plays the most beautiful song ever written. Everyone who hears it is deeply moved and it brings happiness and peace to everyone. There are subtle comedic scenes all the way through, and the landscape of New Mexico is stunningly shot in all it's raw, stark beauty.
35 Reviews
Well...that was...interesting in a Good sorta way.
DuskShadow12 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This was almost like a B grade Cohens brothers film, with quick jump situational humor that most could relate to such as kids just being kids, having crushes, or just being plain innocent, then playing soccer where they are not supposed to and something bad happens. It worked at times.
It was also realistic as it took place in some podunk middle of nowhere New Mexico, USA town where, unfortunately like in most of the southern states, racism runs rampant in a nonchalant and flippant way left and right.
It was also unclear if the film took place in the 1970s, 80's or whenever, but there seemed to be a distinct lack of technology akin to anything even 20 years olg. NO whether this was intentional due to the impovrished state of the town in the film or it actually did take place over 30 years ago, doesnt matter too much.
What ends up happening is a nice enough slice of life story about a very young boy, his family, and a nearly miraculous instance of guitar playing that rekindles the soul and awakens the heart in everyone that hears.
The proviso is that you dont hear it at all, instead getting a tone def long beeeeeeep in place since, clearly, 99% of young children, let alone most people cannot play music worth anything. lol
The movie was simple and understandable, and well worth a watch for something clean that the whole family can sit down with safely. 6/10
Fabulous Film!
neofut14 July 2020
Very quirky, very charming film where everything works. Wonderful writing, performances, and tone. Every shot is creatively composed for maximum effect like a Wes Anderson film (whose tone is similar but this is much more heartfelt). I would compare it most to "Napoleon Dynamite" in its quirkiness but, once again, with much more heart. Can't believe this isn't a higher-rated better known film appropriate for all. Bravo!
One of the loveliest films I've watched in a long time
Boristhemoggy17 April 2019
It may well be one of the loveliest films I've watched in a long time, and yet I have no idea what it is about. I mean I know it's about a little boy who writes a song that we never hear but which makes the whole world happy but, I have no idea what it's about.
It's kind of like David Lynch meets Disney.
The direction and pace is superb, the photography is stunning, the acting is immense for what it is, and I've never seen a 7 year old boy hold an entire movie from beginning to end.
This is an amazing watch.
Pleasant Surprise
ninkenbab23 March 2019
I was lucky enough to see this a short time ago in Silver City, NM where it was filmed. The person who made the film and all the kids from it were there for discussion/ Q&A afterwards.
When the movie began all I could think was boring.
Very soon after that I was pleasantly surprised.
It turned into a very enjoyable, entertaining and funny movie.
The kids were great.
I highly recommend this gem.
Do not get tricked into watching this
supronion4 March 2019
Wonderful movie
janhezzel9 June 2018
This movie hit all the bases of emotion for the entire sold out audience at the Prescott Film Festival. Well worth seeing and spreading the word. The director and writer, Cameron Nugent did a superb job in capturing the subtleties of the main characters as well as the story line. The excellent script was written with humor throughout. The director of Photography, John Garrett, captured the bleakness of the landscape but also captured the warmth of the family and townspeople. JK Simmons as well as Julian as the "boy called Sailboat" and his parents should get a nod for their acting abilities. A film Well Done...
What the hell did I just watch?
laura-alyssa29 July 2019
I do not understand why ppl are enthralled with this weird thing... I was not enthused by the description, found it even less inviting watching it... honestly confused by why the ppl I watched it with were so endeared. 10/10 would never watch again. Wish I hadn't been forced to sit through it the first time.
A true gem
papataza20 August 2018
It only happens not so often that you stumble upon a movie, book, song or any other (still obviously hidden?) gem so beautiful and fulfilling, still hidden and unknown that takes you and carries you to the sky of joy, happiness and positive emotions... We carry all what we need with us. A bedtime lifetime story. Movie full of beautiful photos and music, amazing characters, a fantasy that makes you feel better.. A true must see
Charming and endearing
andybl-8270126 April 2019
Really amazed I saw this to the end.
paulatepc6611 May 2020
Got to the end but still didn't get it. Don't understand the rave reviews. Scenery - desert, acting - what acting.
Song is the key to the film, broadcast to the world reminiscent of "Oh brother where art thou" - this Film has the same crazy style.
Song is the key to the film, broadcast to the world reminiscent of "Oh brother where art thou" - this Film has the same crazy style.
Definitely one of the best independent movies in a while...
Klaaatu18 April 2019
I loved this movie! It's full of thought and inspiration on life from a child's perspective.
You can only imagine back to when you were a child and how things around you and the things you do affect the world and people around you.
I won't give away the story, suffice to say that if you want to experience what it's like to be a child again, check this out!
You can only imagine back to when you were a child and how things around you and the things you do affect the world and people around you.
I won't give away the story, suffice to say that if you want to experience what it's like to be a child again, check this out!
Can you give a film zero stars
scrivvy0110 September 2021
Boring film. I wanted to like it and I certainly tried. However it's a poorly shot and dreary film. Pretty nonsensical. How people have been conned into giving it rave reviews because its been billed as s feel good movie is beyond me.
Just loved it
drshna22 April 2019
Loved everything about the movie, actual meaning of life, magical spell of sailboats guitar song , hope to meet his grandma, everything in movie was so simple but yet mesmerising. Grigoriyan brother's version of row row your boat actually melted my heart. Felt like everything else should stop n just enjoy the life like how people came just to listen Sailboat sing!!
Lovely
garymckenzie-4240722 June 2019
Wonderful movie
rknight-060761 December 2018
This was a truly beautiful movie, with a story that was uplifting, moving and funny. Great acting; the boy who played Sailboat was a delight; and all the children were so believable in their roles that it seemed like the class, the school and the soccer teams really existed. Full marks to the Director, the photographer, and all involved, for a very authentic film. The music was amazing; I was lucky enough to see the film while the Grigoryan brothers, who did the musical score played it live, in a theatre in Adelaide. A film really worth seeing by young and old.
Hidden message behind signboard
rvnaidoos13 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Totally amazing movie. Lots of innuendos and hidden messages. The amazing song which is never heard. The father's car without back doors has an alarm system. The leaning house with a beam propping it up with the cross chains on it. There's quite a bit. The best is the symbols and squiggles on the back of the sign board next to the road side towards the end.
Absolute gem of a film
robin_sayer20 June 2020
Fantastic movie all around!
divination0915 April 2019
Maybe not for everyone but this movie was fantastic I thought. I wasn't expecting to laugh so much. Really touching and heartwarming story with a unique mix of quirky characters. The star, Sailboat was acted really well.
Excellente'
moodley-296116 October 2018
If the Cohen Brothers made a kids film
one-2617 November 2018
If the Cohen Brothers made a kids film... with an Australian bent, set it in Mexico and filled every frame with magic. You'd find A Boy Called Sailboat. Cameron Nugent has created an incredibly unique, special and instantly timeless classic.
Magnolious
patrick-wools18 November 2018
Excellent cinematography best experienced on a large screen. With many subtle and not so subtle moments, this is an enjoyable movie. The Theory of Relativity is used to comical effect if you listen for it.
Put a smile on your face - watch this movie.
Beautifully mesmerising
mungomcghee5 May 2020
Just a lovely relaxing movie that with great acting from all characters made this film so uplifting. I was taken in by this story that had so much depth and some humour to. Excellent, I smiled all the way through even though it moved me .
wonderful
sufyanliaqat-8337829 March 2020
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