GET LOW

US, 2009, 103 minutes. Colour.
Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, Lucas Black, Gerald Mc Raney, Bill Cobbs.
Directed by Aaron Schneider.

One should not be put off or hesitate because of the title. There is nothing low about it. As Felix Bush, the solitary man at the centre of the film, says, ‘It’s time to get low’ and he means that he should get down to business.

This is a film designed for an older audience who appreciate fine characterisations and serious themes. It moves at a measured pace with a secret at its centre, something the audience is interested in discovering, which keeps them attentive. It is set in the 1930s in the American south.

The film opens with a long take of a burning house with a man aflame escaping from it. We have to wait until the end of the film and the revelation of Felix Bush’s secret to understand what has happened.

Robert Duvall, nearing 80 when he made this film, is Felix Bush. A bearded and gnarled old man who has lived apart from the local town for forty years. He decides that it is time to confess his guilt and shame for what he did those decades earlier. He will have a funeral party before his death so that he can attend and listen to the myriad stories that have been told, retold and embroidered over the years. He also wants to tell people what has kept him apart from them for so long.

Bill Murray is Frank Quinn, the mortician of the town (where people have not been dying lately), assisted by an earnest young married man, Buddy (Lucas Black). He welcomes Felix’s proposal and eagerly begins the preparations.

Felix is spruced up and meets after many years a friend from the past, Mattie, played by Sissy Spacek. He still cannot bring himself to tell her the truth.

After some decision hiccups, the party goes ahead and moves to a great speech from Duvall explaining what really happened in the burning house and his blaming himself for what happened and why. He asks people’s forgiveness.

For those who appreciate the story, the characters, especially Felix, and the situations and themes of responsibility, confession, atonement and forgiveness (although it indulges Felix a little in the final minutes), they will find it a rewarding film.

1. A film about age, impending death, sense of responsibility, confession, forgiveness?

2. The title – and Felix’s explanation about getting down to business?

3. The atmosphere of the South, the town, the shops, the cars, costumes? The hermit’s house? The countryside? The musical score, the contemporary songs?

4. The opening with the burning house, the long take, the escape, on fire? The later explanation?

5. The character of Felix Bush, Robert Duvall in his old age? Felix and his age, gnarled, bearded, solitary, at work on his property, the kids throwing stones and his chasing the boy with the gun? The reverend’s visit? His decision, going to the church, the discussion about having his funeral before his death? Going into the town, the fight with the young man? People’s gossip? Buddy and his visit after hearing Felix in the church? His offer? Going to Frank Quinn? The plan, the reasons?

6. Felix’s reputation, the stories woven about him? Buddy telling his story? His wanting to hear the stories at the funeral’s celebration? Telling his own story?

7. Buddy and his wife, son, in the church for the baptism, listening to Felix, talking with him, working with Frank, the salesman? The meeting, the money? His work in preparation for the party?

8. Felix and his transformation, the shave, the new clothes? The change in persona and attitude?

9. Buddy, the money, his being hit over the head? The fight? His wife and her concern?

10. Felix visiting Charlie, the background of his building the church (and Charlie’s later praising him for it)? Their discussion, the confession, Charlie relentless? Wanting Felix to confess? Frank Quinn going to talk with Charlie, pleading with him for his livelihood, persuading him?

11. Frank, at work as a mortician, the lack of people dying? His work with Buddy and admiration for him? Encouragement? Desperation about the company? His visit to Charlie and his persuasiveness? His being a go-getter?

12. Felix and his meeting with Mattie? Their talk, memories of Mattie’s sister, her sister confiding in her, the fact that Felix had a relationship with her and sister didn’t tell him? The burning house? Mattie and her disappointment at Felix not revealing what happened?

13. Felix agreeing to the party, the arrival of all the townspeople, Frank and Buddy and the introductions? Charlie and his speech? Felix, taking the microphone, telling the story? Confessing his relationship with Mattie’s sister? Going to the house, the confrontation with her husband, her husband brutalising her, setting the fire, Felix and his falling out the window or being pushed? His escape? His sense of shame, confessing? His acknowledgment of love for the woman?

14. The effect on Frank and Buddy, on the crowd, on Mattie as she came to listen? Talking with him after the party?

15. Felix at his home, his vision of the woman on the road, his death, the funeral?

16. A film for older audiences to relish character, situations, secrecy, repentance, responsibility? Forgiveness?