Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Justina The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Bene Cumb I have always admired Peter Stormare's acting but I am unable to recall him in a leading role - until now. He provides a strong performance as a religious police officer with violent and painful past, and there are very few scenes without his presence. As for the rest, I cannot find more outstanding features: the plot is slow and dull (the killer can be figured out early), religious soundtrack and church links are annoying, other actors/characters are not catchy. Even in terms of pondering and profundity, there are far more interesting and versatile movies, even from Canada. Luckily, its duration is 1 hour and 10 minutes only.Thus, a film for art's sake, but not interesting to follow. It could just have been a psychological film without any crime at all. By the way, I like the Coens a lot and have seen all of their films. Small Town Murder Songs does not measure up to them.

platinumpyrrs Recommended for watchers that appreciate the fine enactment of a well-crafted screenplay. Direction also very good. All the actors had their moments, and some were indeed memorable: I shall always remember the look between Rita and Steve at the end when Steve is in the back of the police vehicle. Let's just say brilliant acting, direction, and camera-work must culminate to capture something that good. Of course, one will need to watch what comes before to reach that point. The pace of the movie is deliberate, and dialog is often exchanged haltingly, especially from our main man, Walter (Peter Stormare depicts him from the inside out -- excellent all the way through; also loved the lingering accent, which fits Walter perfectly). Music and biblical quotes were a bit jangling, I must agree, as many other reviewers have noted. The quotes were more of a problem than the music for me, because I have a problem with quotes in general. As a viewer, I don't need to be told what a section of movie is going to be about. That's a bit of an insult, in fact. Anyway, take the quotes out and the movie would have been just as watchable from my perspective. Music -- OK, it adds atmosphere, though again I probably would have enjoyed the movie just as much without it. Reminiscent of another Mennonite-centric film I saw directed by Carlos Reygadas in Mexico, Silent Night, though that was brilliant in a very different way.To recap, here, "Small Town Murder Songs" is a title that describes the movie literally; the acting, screenplay, and direction make this a watchable film, especially for the contemplative viewer.

minimusdecimus The villages, small towns are the places where, far from the the alert rhythm of the big cities, people find time for themselves, for introspection, remembrance, or/and redemption. Here's such a story... OK, not a story, really, but rather something vaguely resembling. Could have been a great episode in a series following the characters in the movie and going deeper in their life and psychology. Something like Durham County, maybe? I found the movie almost by mistake, browsing in a lazy night the available HD movies on my fibe TV subscription, and seeing the TIFF stamp on the poster I placed the order instantly. My annual Andrei Tarkovsky phase, when I re-watch some of his films, was at an end, and this one was a nice step to the real world, coming from the dreamy-big-questions-and-endless-search-tarkovskyan world. I've immediately felt at home, with a familiar style and landscape, only much, much simpler. Something reminding of Fargo (1996, USA/UK), as many others saw the resemblance. With a lesser story, though.Overall, an excellent crafted, but with an 'unfinished' feel movie. Absolutely worth watching. And more than once, if one enjoys great acting and fantastic directing, regardless the unsatisfactory plot.

sidney76 One would think that there are only so many ways that murder mysteries can be fashioned. And one would also figure that all of them had been presented already ad nauseam. Then along comes this movie and, yep, something new has been created. An excellent movie because of its novelty, its boldness, its visuals, its art but mostly because every single actor and each performance are superb. There is not a wasted line or a wasted scene. This is a film I will watch again. Peter Stormare is one of the most gifted actors today. And the director, Ed Gass-Donnelly, has a brilliant future. Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved with this movie. And best wishes for continued success to each of you.