Ain’t Them Bodies Saints Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A couple robs banks, has a kid, one goes to jail, escapes, and then everyone feels bad.

🍿 Ain’t Them Bodies Saints: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Love and Crime in Texas

Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara) are young lovers living a life of crime in 1970s Texas. Their world is turned upside down during a shootout with the police after a robbery goes wrong. Ruth injures a police officer, Patrick Wheeler (Ben Foster). Bob takes the blame to protect Ruth, who is pregnant, and is sentenced to prison.

Years Apart, Promises Made

While Bob is imprisoned, Ruth gives birth to their daughter, Sylvie. Bob writes letters to Ruth daily, promising to return to them. Ruth, raising Sylvie with the help of Skerritt (Keith Carradine), a father figure to both her and Bob, finds her life changing. Meanwhile, Sheriff Patrick Wheeler recovers and continues his duty, still unaware of the identity of the shooter.

Escape and Reunion

After four years, Bob escapes from prison, determined to reunite with Ruth and meet his daughter. His journey is fraught with danger, as he is pursued by both law enforcement and other unknown parties. Ruth, now living a more settled life, finds herself caught between her past with Bob and a burgeoning connection with Patrick, the officer she shot.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara): A young woman and mother who shot a police officer and struggles with her love for Bob while trying to build a stable life.
• Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck): An outlaw who takes the blame for Ruth’s crime and escapes from prison to reunite with his family.
• Patrick Wheeler (Ben Foster): A sheriff’s deputy who was shot by Ruth and develops feelings for her while she raises her daughter.
• Skerritt (Keith Carradine): A father figure to Ruth and Bob who provides support but disapproves of their criminal past.
• Sweetie (Nate Parker): A friend of Bob’s who provides him shelter and helps him on his journey.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bob Muldoon: “Every day I wake up thinking today’s the day I’m gonna see you. And one of those days, it will be so. And then we can ride off to somewhere. Somewhere far away.” – Bob expresses his unwavering hope and determination to reunite with Ruth and start a new life together after his release from prison.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4 million
• Domestic Gross: $396,519
• Worldwide Gross: $1,031,243

💥 Ain’t Them Bodies Saints Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed this movie! The story of love and sacrifice really touched me. Casey Affleck delivered a powerful performance as a man willing to do anything for his family. The cinematography was beautiful, and the soundtrack perfectly complemented the mood.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie dramas”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “Those interested in neo-western and crime romance films”
  • “Fans of Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Brief suggestive content”
  • “Some thematic elements related to crime”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “David Lowery has constructed a beautiful, atmospheric, little indie film with this 1970’s Texas crime melodrama. Rooney Mara is excellent as a strong, young woman who desires a better life and a man who can’t get it for her. Casey Affleck gives a great performance as her lover and small time criminal.
• IMDB: “This dreary movie has some good things going for it on paper, but they’re all wasted on a lugubrious directing style that recreates the feeling of dozing on a hot summer day, not because you’re tired but because it’s too hot to do anything else.
• IMDB: “A man sent to jail for a robbery escapes and tries to find his girlfriend and the young daughter he has never met. Superb acting by Casey Affleck (Bob), Rooney Mara (Ruth) and Ben Foster (Patrick). The cinematography is great and there is a nice feel about the film.

Audience Reactions

The emotional depth and the strong performances of the actors are what made this movie stand out.: Viewers often appreciate the film’s beautiful cinematography and haunting soundtrack, which create a captivating atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning film with strong performances, but may feel slow-paced for some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The title ‘Ain’t Them Bodies Saints’ is director David Lowery’s mondegreen – a mishearing of a song lyric – and has no actual meaning; he had been wanting to use it as a movie title for years.”
• “The film draws inspiration from Terrence Malick’s ‘Badlands’, sharing similar themes of outlaw lovers and the vast, isolating landscapes of the American West.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ain’t Them Bodies Saints?

As of October 2024, “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, you might like these similar films:

• Badlands (1973): Shares a similar theme of young, rebellious lovers on the run, set against a backdrop of crime and violence in the American heartland.
• Bonnie and Clyde (1967): Presents a romanticized view of outlaws and their escapades, exploring the allure and consequences of a life of crime.
• The Getaway (1972): Features a couple on the run after a heist gone wrong, highlighting the complexities of their relationship amidst the chaos.

🛒 Ain’t Them Bodies Saints Related Products

• Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (Blu-ray): Own the critically acclaimed film in high definition, featuring stunning cinematography and powerful performances.
• Texas Trilogy: The Complete Collection: A collection of Americana-styled folk songs from the era.
• Ain’t Them Bodies Saints – Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater.
• Men’s Felt Hat: Similar to the one worn by Casey Affleck in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Lights” – performed by Keith Carradine

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lighting Tips: Bounce and Negative Fill || Bradford Young || Spotlight

Ever wondered how the stunning visuals of ‘Ain’t Them Bodies Saints’ were achieved? Bradford Young breaks down his lighting secrets in this video. I found it super insightful to understand the impact of lighting on the film’s mood!

“Advice to Young Cinematographers” with Bradford Young, ASC

Aspiring filmmakers, this one’s for you! Bradford Young, the genius behind ‘Ain’t Them Bodies Saints’ cinematography, shares invaluable advice. His insights are so inspiring, I wish I’d heard this earlier in my career!

DP/30 @ Cannes ’13: Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. actors Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara

Want to hear Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara discuss ‘Ain’t Them Bodies Saints’ straight from Cannes? This interview gives great insight into their character motivations. It’s amazing to hear their personal takes on the story!

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