Sold Out

A Faustian tale. Sold Out is a worthy, heartfelt effort that uses music as a metaphor without being a musical. Thoughts that are incomplete or are too difficult to say aloud are conveyed in lyrics. The filmmakers respect the audience so much that the future is foretold in a shot so quickly rendered, it almost disappears.

There is some clever camera work and the outdoor scenes are classic upper Midwest.

There are times when scenes don't line up (head tilts or hand positions differ between frontal and profile views, for example). Some of the early dialogue is a bit clunky and expository. A goofy couple inexplicably disappears. Even still, I would gladly watch another offering by this team.

Man, oh man! "SOLD OUT" is the rhythmic heartbeat of the American Dream set to the passionate tempo of raw musical talent. It's the wild howl of the lone wolf on a moonlit night and the gentle whisper of dreams deferred, all woven into a tapestry of melodies and the age-old struggle for recognition.

There's a spirit in this film, much like the unyielding spirit of the open road. A female talent scout, with an ear as finely tuned as a '56 Chevy radio, hears not just the voice, but the soul of a man, buried beneath the debris of construction sites and the weight of everyday existence. This ain't just a story of fame, fortune, or the shimmering lights of the stage; it's a tale of rebirth, of the phoenix that rises from the sawdust, with a guitar in hand and a song in his heart.

The film dances, swings, and sways to the unpredictable beat of life. Our songbird from the construction site is everyman, everywoman, anyone who's ever felt the blues, but also the intoxicating rush of a dream being realized. Their journey together, mentor and mentee, is a duet of hopes and fears, set against the vast backdrop of city skylines and smoky bars, echoing with the cadence of Kerouac's own adventures.

"SOLD OUT" isn't just another tale in the vast ocean of music dramas; it's a lyrical journey of self-discovery, of finding one's true calling amidst the cacophony of life. It's a symphony of ambition, resilience, and the eternal quest for something more. The rawness, the honesty, the sheer poetic beauty of it all resonates with anyone who's ever dared to dream beyond their station.

To the makers of "SOLD OUT", I say, you've captured the very essence of the beat generation and translated it to the world of song. This film is jazz, rock 'n' roll, blues, and gospel, all rolled into a cinematic masterpiece. Bravo!

Here's to "SOLD OUT", a movie that reminds us that even when life's notes seem discordant, there's always a song waiting to be sung, if only we dare to listen.

"Sold Out" (2021) asks what is your passion - and how are you going to change the world - and also reminding us that you got to live your life at the same time as you're trying to make your career.

Strong-headed, passionate music scout Kat Revere is as flawed as the next person, but she is good at preparing songwriters performers to have a career.

As she talks early in the movie she reminds me of Michele Mupo aka Fuchsia (from New Jersey and got her start with Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam).

In the story Kat is a bit of a mystery to the audience and the male lead, and she's angry.

John is played by the engaging Sam Bardwell, who sings songs mostly by Jeffrey Foucault. It isn't clear if he wrote the songs based on the story, or if the story was informed by the songs.

The story of "Sold Out" is driven by trying to answer this question. What if you haven't "made it" yet? How do you keep going?

Mixed into the story of strivers in the making, recording and playing of music in the northern parts of the midwest.

The near universal element is about making a living from your creativity - this resonates with the move and tv industry, drawing, comics, all forms of storytelling makers.

Rather than staying in one genre of music, the guitar playing and singing bridge from prog rock, to folk and country, to Jazz and blues with cameos from professional Jazz and Blues musicians.

The overall visuals are strong, the sound and music are strong, and the story is mysterious but also full of the road of discovery. There are some strange decisions with camera angles in the coverage close-ups and medium shots in the first half of the film, but the dramatic composition of scenes and visual composition of scenes are generally strong, with good editing throughout the film.

I think the producers needed to trust the musical performances a little more - maybe 2 to 7 minutes more of that amongst the film.

The montage sequences and the cutting back and forth in time for the story of the characters is done very well.

The actors are generally amazing, and I hope to see more from everyone in front of the camera and behind the camera in the future.

I was immersed in this one. As a musician and singer myself, I felt that I knew these people. I was invested in the characters throughout. Well done indie.

Good Music, characters that I could care about, that felt like like human beings.... Some beautiful moments that are us, just regular people living a life torn between, family obligations and chasing your dreams. Most of us can relate to this. Life is not easy, the older we get the tougher the choices become. Especially with kids in the picture, no pun intended I definitely recommend it for any audience that wants a taste of a different world. That wants to feel something other than spectacle..... The Music is fresh and original, keeps you humming along after the movie ends and it feels good.

Most Worthy of your time.