It's plain obvious to see where the comparisons between "Small Town Murder Songs" and landmark Coen-brother movies like "Fargo" and "No Country for Old Men" are coming from. The unique and geographically isolated locations, the melancholy of the lead characters, the slow pacing, ... They're all trademarks owned by the Coen brothers and blatantly copied by writer/director Ed Gass-Donnelly. There's one crucial element missing, though, and that is the big difference in talent.
"Small Town Murder Songs" is set in a secluded Ontarian Mennonite-community. Apparently, Mennonites are a strict movement of the Catholic Church of Dutch/German origin. I had to look that up, of course, since I never heard of Mennonites before in my life! Peter Stormare stars as Walter, the Sheriff, and he stumbles upon the body of a brutally murdered and naked girl on the shores of the town's lake.
Despite the potentially fascinating murder investigation, the film doesn't have an actual plot. There's only one real suspect for the murder, and - guess what - he did it! The true essence revolves around the redemption of Sheriff Walter, who only just rejoined his town's Church and previously struggled with anger issues. You know for sure you live in a ridiculously small town when a gorgeous woman like Jill Hennessey can only choose between the fat & depressed Sheriff or the redneck town drunk. If I'm honest and straightforward, "Small Town Murder Songs" is a boring and void effort, without any highlights or remarkable moments. If the titular "songs" don't put you to sleep, the monotonous dialogues and silences will. It's never a good sign when the short running time - barely 75 minutes - is the best aspect.
"Small Town Murder Songs" is set in a secluded Ontarian Mennonite-community. Apparently, Mennonites are a strict movement of the Catholic Church of Dutch/German origin. I had to look that up, of course, since I never heard of Mennonites before in my life! Peter Stormare stars as Walter, the Sheriff, and he stumbles upon the body of a brutally murdered and naked girl on the shores of the town's lake.
Despite the potentially fascinating murder investigation, the film doesn't have an actual plot. There's only one real suspect for the murder, and - guess what - he did it! The true essence revolves around the redemption of Sheriff Walter, who only just rejoined his town's Church and previously struggled with anger issues. You know for sure you live in a ridiculously small town when a gorgeous woman like Jill Hennessey can only choose between the fat & depressed Sheriff or the redneck town drunk. If I'm honest and straightforward, "Small Town Murder Songs" is a boring and void effort, without any highlights or remarkable moments. If the titular "songs" don't put you to sleep, the monotonous dialogues and silences will. It's never a good sign when the short running time - barely 75 minutes - is the best aspect.