Clevercell Very disappointing...

Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Taha Avalos The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

marek-joann The story of the White family is enthralling with it's history, drama, tragedy and loss. I was hoping that this would be a good theatrical version to the documentary that was done on the family back in 2009. Some of the story was good and pretty close to what was said by the true main character in the actual documentary. The acting wasn't too terribly bad but the death of his father is completely fictional. Jesse was with his father when they where fired upon. Both received gunshot wounds, his father passed from a gunshot wound to the chest. The fact that it is supposed to be based on Jesse White's life story and such an important part of his life was changed. A major event such as the death of a father is usually life altering, so the details of such should be maintained in a "loosely based true story". For what reason it was altered I have no clue, except for the shock factor of a dragging death. Personally it ruined it for me.

punkerella_7 I was born, raised and still live in West Virginia, so the lore of Jesco White was always within earshot. Knowing the stories, whether true or tall tale, I was hesitant to watch this film. Once it began, I knew I would enjoy the film, I just didn't realize how much.Most of the stories I have heard about Jesco are from his later years, so it was refreshing and new to see a story about his childhood. I learned a lot about a person I thought I knew everything about.The reason this film is amazing is Edward Hogg. For a British actor to take on the roll of a southern West Virginian AND to do it so convincingly, is proof of Edward's talents.I was mesmerized by his portrayal of a man that is the personification of a terrible stereotype of West Virginians. Edward had the ability to make me feel something other than disgust for Jesco.Besides the acting, the cinematography was excellent. I loved the desaturation of the film, where everything was almost completely black and white, but had a hint of color.I would recommend this to anyone that wants to explore the human condition and to see deeper inside the life of a "white trash" man.

danjuscar White lightnin' is a work which exudes originality. That first and foremost must be said from this reviewer who is personally tired of the vapid humdrum which is usually churned out by Hollywood on a regular basis. Watching this film, I felt contented that there are still filmmakers out there who display boundary pushing ingenuity in there craft and who are not afraid to disturb the living hell out of you. Dominic Murphy has showed that he is one such director capable of telling you gut wrenching stories without descending into the usual path of incoherence in which so many of these types of films do. White Lightnin' is a film in which the plot never once lost focus of telling the story of the mountain dancing, gas huffing Jesco White. And while the violence, as my previous reviewer noted, is gratuitous and revolting, I never once felt it was incongruous or irrelevant with the story trying to be told. It is also of importance to note that viewing WL is like peering through a window into the destitute "white trash" culture of the poverty-stricken Appalachia. A way of life not assiduously examined through the medium of film. This in part presents the film with a particular boldness that was exhilarating to view.

frank-boester Seen this one at the Berlin Filmfestival 2009 and did not know what I was up for. Felt quite a bit sorry for the friends I brought with me cause it turned out to be a tour de force in part.The style, the editing, the acting - all that is pretty impressive and engaging. But mind you: the depicted life story is most of the time not a pretty sight and not for the faint of heart. The depictions of substance abuse (lighter and gas fumes) by the young Jesco White, his violent outbursts, self mutilation, up to the murders in the end of the movie... I don't know a better way to stage this in a feature film and it is supposed to be true to the life of Jesco White. Still, beware what you might be up for: could be your first walk-out in a long time.I don't regret watching this movie, though I don't know if I had gone had I known what I was up for. Besides, I was glad I could end the film festival with another movie after that... sort of to clear my mind.