Runoff

RUNOFF is a true movie-lover's movie. It takes us into a world that most of us know little about and explores it with a sophistication and class rarely seen in a debut film. The last half hour will have you on the edge of your seat. Joanne Kelly is a true star, her face brings you in like a silent movie star's would. It was so refreshing to see a movie that could have been so righteous dogmatic, instead allow its political charge to be simply experiential. It takes a tremendous amount of faith in the characters and the story to do that. Levin doesn't just present you this world, she puts you in surround sound of it. You truly feel as if you are there. Throughout the entire piece, her camera is enveloping you in the everyday beauty of this environment, and you will (like Betty) feel compelled to protect it with all you have.

I love movies, but my most frequent complaint is that they tend to wrap everything up so nicely in a 90-minute package that it's like eating artificially flavored candy. In most movies, the story is too strong, the flavors are too calculated. I don't think I've ever encountered a film like this that takes its time and trusts the viewer to come into the film. The story of RUNOFF is simple, a mother and father are at loggerheads over how to deal with the fact that they're about to lose their farm, and they start keeping secrets from each other (no spoiler). This was filmed in Kentucky, and the land is a beautiful character. Meditative shots of the water and land are there to give the audience time to think, in between the action. Watching this film is in some ways more like reading a book than seeing a typical film -- I hope this is a new way forward for cinema. Bravo.

A great study into the depth of the soul of which a person will sell themselves for the need, the very depth of that dark corner inside, to protect their family. Ms.Joanne Kelly is outstanding as is the writing. The underlining story of the son rebelling against the norm of following in the family path was outstanding. The father's subtle disapproval was only matched by the mother's need to protect and understand. The final scene as Betty drove away, the look off set by the contents in the back of the truck, drove the final nail home at the determination, at all costs, to save the way of life at any cost.I drove almost four hours to the only theater in my state airing this work of art. And it was worth every mile.

The writing, cinematography, and actors' performances were brilliant. This was the first time I saw Joanne Kelly (Betty) in a film, and I was enthralled with her acting and her beauty. Kudos to Kim Levine (Director) who created an outstanding film! Kim's former career as a biochemist and then a playwright collide to create an attention grabbing, thought provoking movie. The film was set in rural Kentucky and there are beautiful shots of Kentucky farmland that create a 'calm' in the middle of a 'storm'. As the film progresses, the tension between morality and desperation builds … and the resulting emotions linger when one leaves the cinema.

I like slice of life films where not much happens, but this one is pretty weak. The acting unspectacular. The audio is bad, and they obviously couldn't afford a dialect coach. There is no real insight into any of the character's lives, and none of the characters are the least bit colorful. The portrayal of the local environment that usually makes this kind of movie interesting is almost nonexistent. There is no real drama. There is only occasional visual interest.

I wasn't planning on reviewing this movie, but after seeing all the ten star reviews I had to object. I wish IMDb could do something about this. I realize it's hard if not impossible to control this activity. Anyone can easily see what's going on. Still, it is annoying.

I wish a six month period of membership were required before someone could write a review, but this wouldn't be fair to IMDb or to impartial reviewers.

At least the reviewer should have to check off a box saying they are unbiased and have no affiliation with the movie's production or distribution.

This kind of activity is all over IMDb and detracts from a really great site. THESE REVIEWERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!

The critics got it right. The movie is at best mediocre.