Get Low Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Grumpy old hermit throws a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bad Opinion) party for his funeral while still alive, just to see if he’s still the most hated guy in town.

🍿 Get Low: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Hermit’s Unusual Request

Felix Bush, a reclusive and feared hermit living in 1930s Tennessee, decides to throw his own funeral party while he’s still alive. He approaches Frank Quinn, a struggling funeral director, with this unusual proposition. Driven by a desire to hear what people truly think of him and to reveal a long-held secret, Felix’s request sets in motion a series of events that challenge the town’s perception of him.

Planning the Funeral Party

Frank, sensing an opportunity to revive his business, agrees to help Felix organize the funeral. They begin preparations, which include inviting townspeople and offering Felix’s vast land in a raffle to attract attendees. As the funeral approaches, tensions rise, and the town’s curiosity about Felix’s past intensifies.

Secrets and Confrontations

Felix seeks out Reverend Charlie, hoping he will deliver his eulogy. He also reconnects with Mattie Darrow, a woman from his past, stirring up old memories and unresolved feelings. A robbery at the funeral home and a confession to Mattie reveal the depth of Felix’s guilt and the events that led to his self-imposed isolation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Felix Bush (Robert Duvall): A reclusive and guilt-ridden hermit who plans his own funeral party to reveal a long-held secret.
• Frank Quinn (Bill Murray): A shrewd funeral director who sees an opportunity in Felix’s unusual request.
• Mattie Darrow (Sissy Spacek): A woman from Felix’s past who holds a key to his secret and seeks closure.
• Buddy (Lucas Black): Frank’s earnest assistant who develops a connection with Felix and helps him on his journey.
• Rev. Charlie Jackson (Bill Cobbs): A wise and compassionate preacher who guides Felix towards redemption.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Felix Bush: “I built my own jail and put myself in it. And I stayed in it for 40 goddamn years!” – Felix expresses his regret and self-imposed isolation to Rev. Charlie Jackson.
• Felix Bush: “No wife. No kids, no friends, no nothing. No grandchildren. I wouldn’t even know how to hold a baby.” – Continuing his confession, highlighting the depth of his loneliness and the life he missed.
• Rev. Charlie Jackson: “You know it’s not.” – Rev. Charlie’s response to Felix’s statement ‘Forty years. Now, that’s not enough?’, challenging him to confront his past.
• Felix Bush: “It’s my time to get low.” – Felix expresses his resolve to face his past and the consequences of his actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,176,933
• Worldwide Gross: $10,522,511

💥 Get Low Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, what a movie. I went in expecting a quirky comedy with Bill Murray, but I got so much more. Robert Duvall’s performance is absolutely heartbreaking. The scene where he finally reveals his secret at the funeral party? I was in tears. The way the film explores guilt and the possibility of redemption really hit me hard. Definitely a movie I’ll be thinking about for a long time. Sissy Spacek was fantastic as well, bringing the past to life. I felt very moved.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert Duvall”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about redemption and forgiveness”
  • “People interested in historical films set in the Depression era”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief language”
  • “Mature themes including infidelity and guilt”
  • “Some thematic elements may be intense for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Duvall delivers a masterclass in nuanced performance as the haunted hermit, Felix Bush. While the pacing is deliberate, the film’s exploration of guilt, redemption, and forgiveness resonates deeply. Murray’s dry wit provides welcome moments of levity, and Spacek adds a layer of emotional complexity. A must-see for fans of character-driven dramas.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Aaron Schneider’s directorial debut is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film. Duvall’s portrayal of Felix Bush is captivating, and the supporting cast shines. While the plot unfolds slowly, the film’s exploration of regret and the search for peace is ultimately rewarding. Get Low is a poignant meditation on life, death, and the power of forgiveness.
• RogerEbert.com: “Get Low is a beautifully crafted film with exceptional performances. Duvall embodies the enigmatic Felix Bush, and Murray brings a touch of dark humor to the role of the funeral director. The film’s slow burn approach may not appeal to all viewers, but those who appreciate character-driven stories will find much to admire.

Audience Reactions

Duvall’s acting was phenomenal; he completely embodies the character.: Viewers consistently praise Robert Duvall’s performance as the highlight of the film, citing his ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and depth.

The slow pace allowed for deep character exploration.: Many appreciate the film’s deliberate pacing, which allows for a more nuanced exploration of the characters and their inner struggles.

Overall Consensus: A character-driven drama with outstanding performances, particularly from Robert Duvall, that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the search for forgiveness. The slow pace may not appeal to all, but those who appreciate nuanced storytelling will find it rewarding.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the real-life story of Felix Bushaloo Breazeale, a Tennessee hermit who threw his own funeral party in 1938.”
• “Robert Duvall’s performance was widely praised, and many critics considered it to be among the best of his career.”
• “The film was shot on location in Georgia, with the Atkinson-Glover House in Newnan serving as one of the primary filming locations to recreate the 1930s Tennessee setting.”
• “Aaron Schneider, primarily known for his cinematography work, made his directorial debut with ‘Get Low’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Get Low?

As of my last update, “Get Low” is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for current availability and streaming options. It may also be available on DVD and Blu-ray.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Get Low, you might like these similar films:

• Tender Mercies (1983): Both films feature Robert Duvall as a character seeking redemption from a troubled past in a rural setting.
• The Straight Story (1999): A quiet, character-driven story about an elderly man’s journey to reconcile with his past, told with simplicity and heart.
• Secondhand Lions (2003): Focuses on the relationship between an introverted boy and his two eccentric great-uncles, who reveal stories of their adventurous past, similar to the way Felix Bush’s history is unveiled.
• The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970): Features a stubborn loner in the Old West who finds redemption, echoing Felix Bush’s journey towards truth and freedom.

🛒 Get Low Related Products

• Get Low (Blu-ray): Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray for a stunning visual and audio experience. Includes behind-the-scenes features and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Robert Duvall: A Life in Film: Delve into the career of the legendary actor with this comprehensive biography, exploring his iconic roles and contributions to cinema.
• Depression Era Americana Music Collection: A curated collection of classic Americana music from the 1930s, capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the film’s setting.
• Bill Murray: The Comedian’s Life, and Films: See what the comedian’s life and films are about, and what is the life of Bill Murray like.

🎧 Soundtrack

Get Low features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover” – performed by Bix Beiderbecke
• “If I Didn’t Care” – performed by The Ink Spots

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Robert Duvall’s Favorite Role Of All Time

Ever wondered what Robert Duvall considers his best role? Check out this clip where he talks about it – you might be surprised, and it could give you a whole new appreciation for his performance in “Get Low”!

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