Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013)

The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met.

Director:

David Lowery

Writer:

David Lowery

Stars:

Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster

4 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rooney Mara	...	Ruth Guthrie
Casey Affleck	...	Bob Muldoon
Ben Foster	...	Patrick Wheeler
Keith Carradine	...	Skerritt
Kennadie Smith	...	Sylvie Guthrie
Jacklynn Smith	...	Sylvie Guthrie
Nate Parker	...	Sweetie
Robert Longstreet	...	Cowboy Hat
Charles Baker	...	Bear
Augustine Frizzell	...	Sissy
Kentucker Audley	...	Freddy
David Zellner	...	Zellner
Turner Ross	...	T.C.
Rami Malek	...	Will
Will Beinbrink	...	Lt. Townes

Storyline

The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met.

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Plot Keywords:

taking the blame for someone else | storytelling | directorial debut | fugitive | outlaw couple | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rami Malek originally auditioned for the role of Sweetie, but the role went to Nate Parker. However director David Lowery was so impressed with Malek's audition that he decided to give him the small role of Will later in the film.

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Goofs

When Bob is shot while in his parked truck, he stumbles out, leaving the driver side door open. While he returns fire and confronts his assailant, he bumps into the door, causing it to close. After killing assailant and turning to get back into truck, the door is open again.

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Quotes

Ruth Guthrie: I haven't slept in four years. And I'm tired. I'm so goddamn tired.
Patrick Wheeler: Then rest.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.193 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Bluegrass Vamp
Performed by Curtis Heath
Written by Curtis Heath
Produced by Curtis Heath
Engineered by Curtis Heath

User Reviews

Self-indulgent art-house neo-noir.

I'm on the fence with this one. I don't hate it quite so much as to give it one star, as I'm tempted to. The direction and photography feel like a year 10 high school project. True beauty is best captured inconspicuously on film, whereas Saints is obsessed with getting the perfect shot of shivering fir trees and fields of barley coated in gold at sunset - there's no nuance or subtlety to it. It appears ham fisted when the director is obviously choosing his shots carefully, but when he lets intuition guide him he manages to capture some great moments on film.

Like one scene where Rooney Mara's character leaves church, and the local sheriff gives her a tip of a hat outside in a short tracking shot to the tune of a quirky soundtrack - it's simple and effective. Most viewers won't even remember that tiny twenty second scene and are probably too busy salivating over Casey Affleck's felt hats and film student mise en scene.

That being said, while the photography is desperate to impress, the way scenes play out is more effective. The director has some idea of how to generate tension, but at times he flops. The opening action sequence is one example; boring, flat, over quickly. Though perhaps what success there is is more to the credit of the screenwriter than the director, it's hard to say.

Flaws to one side, there are several small, tender moments that elevate Saints. For example, the interactions between Rooney Mara's character and her daughter, which are, at times, heartwarming, and very natural. Ben Foster too, feels well-casted and is careful not to turn his small town sheriff character into a walking cliché. In fact, he did so well you barely noticed him at all. He blends perfectly into the background. Casey Affleck seemed to recycle his character from "The Killer Inside Me," but his performance was tolerable.

So, all in all, Saints makes a lot of swings for few runs, succeeding just enough to be an honourable mention. I understand this is one of the director's first works, so for a debut it is certainly noteworthy. If he can learn to stop grovelling at the feet of critics he may improve in the future.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ain't Them Bodies Saints

Filming Locations:

Shreveport, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,419, 18 August 2013

Gross USA:

$396,519

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,031,243

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sailor Bear, Parts and Labor, Primary Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1