Brodie Burns The movie starts out by introducing us to a young man, Josh, playing music in his college dorm. We are also introduced to the young man's father, Sam, sealing a deal at his business. We see Sam calling up his son so that they can meet up and celebrate his deal. It quickly takes a turn when we find out Josh did not make it to meet up with his father, and instead lost his life. Sam quickly finds out on the news at the bar he was waiting to meet at that his son died in a shooting at the school's library.Most of the movie takes places two years after Josh's death and centers around Sam and the aftermath of the tragedy. Sam receives his son's music from his ex-wife. He comes in contact with another side of his son in his music. He is consumed by this version of his son that has been overtaken by all the negative voices speaking of his son. This version is personified almost by this new young man that enters his life, Quentin, who loves the songs his son wrote. It's a troubled soul that is crying out for help in some of the songs I think. Pretty much everything about this movie is excellent. The songs are beautifully written, musically and lyrically. It gives you a unique perspective as the parent of a school shooter. The performances are superb. The cinematography is notable. Lawrence Fishburne is awesome.At the start of the last third of this movie, you are hit with "the big twist". His son was the bad guy. Most people don't see it coming. It's written exceptionally well, it really sets you up to believe that Josh was an innocent victim, but at the same time it lets you come to that assumption on your own. Having watched it multiple times, there are definitely some subtle hints that he was the shooter.This movie prompts discussion about a number of things, art, loss, grief, music, etc.. if you like talking about movies and the subjects they bring up with your movie watching partners, then this is a good one.The separation of art from it's artist is an example of one of the things we discussed. Would you listen to music or rock out to it at a show if you knew it was written by the Columbine shooter? Brock Turner? Hitler? John Wayne Gacy? No, probably not.It could be music about anything; a nice day at the park, a special happening, a blooming romance, but when it is revealed to you that it's creator has done terrible things, would you still listen? That's where the viewer finds himself in this movie. The son of the main character who wrote most of the songs that his dad plays shot and killed 6 students at his college. Even after the "big reveal" I think it makes you question whether or not it is okay that his music is shared with the world. Before you reveal, you're like, of course. It's cool that his dad is playing his songs! Why are they having a problem with this? It could be because he's gone and they aren't really his songs, but then again you're not sure.Ultimately, I think this movie is about healing. Healing through a devastating loss. The healing in this movie occurs with the aid of music and a few new relationships. He starts the sad descent into hopeless despair rudderless, but by the end of the movie, I believe he has found his course, his solace, his peace. He has made his impact. The truth has been revealed. Some healing has occurred.

Galaxian This movie is one of the best movies, if not the best, I have seen in the last decade or so. It is really powerful and just leaves you numb in the end. At the start of the movie you think this is going to be another movie about how to deal with the grief of a loss of a loved one in your life, but it is so much more. I can not say more because I can not reveal the plot but it is a must for any cinephile and sensitive person about social issues and also philosophy to an extent. All the cast performed exemplary, especially Billy Crudup and Anton Yelchin. I had to search for Billy Crudup after the end of the movie and remembered seeing him in Big Fish, where he performed excellently too. This actor is possibly the best actor in Hollywood. As for Anton Yelchin, it is so sad and unjustified that he has left us so early..Watching a movie about the loss of a young person with Anton supporting the emotional blank for the father is even more tragic and adds even more to the impact of this movie. Can't say any more, just watch this movie..

schuster_mark It's rare these days I see a movie this well written AND acted. William H. Macy has directed and co-written an intelligent, beautiful and thought-provoking film. I've enjoyed Billy Crudup as an actor for many years and he did not let me down in this film. I love actors that can sweep you away from reality, if only for a few hours. Actors that do what they do so well you forget you're watching a film and become engrossed in their every move and word. Billy Crudup does that, and he does that in this film without flaw. Anton Yelchin, who normally is someone I just tolerate in a film, adds the magic that takes this film over the top and makes it something special and not just another film. This movie has everything; great acting, great music - great story and a great twist at the end. William H. Macy has proved again how talented of an individual he truly is. A great movie! I highly recommend it!

jmoolten I thought the movie was great. There were a few scenes that left me empty. Or incomplete and saying - huh? The lips poster scene especially felt incomplete. It was as if they were leading the audience to believe that Quiton may somehow be connected to Josh or the shooting in some way? This also seemed apparent when Lawrence Fishburn comments on Quintons response to Sam being Josh's father or ,"the father of the shooter?" Just odd responses with no real closer or conclusion. OR...You could say the artistic under current was to make you feel uncomfortable and perhaps that was the direction or oddity here. :) Very enjoyable film Music excellent Characters were great