Lucybespro
It is a performances centric movie
WillSushyMedia
This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.
filippaberry84
I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Michael Ledo
The film is slow moving. Eden Jackson (Jay Pickett) has spent 8 years in prison for vehicular homicide. He is surprised at his release as is everyone else. Apparently in Oregon they release prisoners at random. He returns home to a mother (Patty McCormack) that still loves him, but a community that has some people who wish Eden would rot in prison.Eden (symbolic for new beginning) keeps his prison Bible, but this is not really a "faith based" film. He has memories of that fateful night, playing at the local honky-tonk and cheating on his wife Pam (Miranda Frigon). Pam gets even by not visiting Eden in prison and marrying Larry (Michael Bowen) the town's biggest A-Hole.Larry controls the sheriff (Duane Stephens) and doesn't like Eden hanging around, partly because he uses annoying phrases such as "it is what it is." Shelly (Victoria Pratt) the pretty blond who owns the feed store, needs some help. It normally isn't hard to figure out where this drama is headed as Jay Pickett subs for Patrick Swayze. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists the film takes in this unlikely drama about redemption.4 stars for fans of "Lifetime" style films.No f-bombs, but some adult language (S-word, P-word, AH-word, SOB), implied sex, no nudity (girl in bra-Whitnie Mauney) Brief appearances by Tom Skerritt as the dad.
forestelves
This movie makes no sense until the last ten minutes. Then it becomes apparent Eden took a fall to protect the two tiny children of the woman who was behind the wheel. Her grandfather(?) knew he was getting out of prison, didn't just appear with horses. This same elder just happens to be there again when he gets out of jail, in front of the Masonic temple. The movie theme is about keeping secrets, when to tell the absolute truth would destroy two innocent children's lives. Look for Masonic symbols, you may see them, especially around the Sheriff. The movie Tombstone comes to mind as another Masonic movie, but without the obvious message Soda Springs tells so well, of a fundamentally decent man who sacrifices a good part of his life to protect women and children.
Johnny_Hing
I'm not sure I can find any flaws in this movie. The acting was very good, the direction by Michael Feifer was superb. The storyline was excellent, and unlike many indie movies I watch these days, it actually had a real ending, along with a few surprise twists. The characters were interesting and likable, and the chemistry between them was believable and grabbed my attention. The Idaho scenery was stunning. And the haunting soundtrack throughout was eerily mood-evoking. Possibly the only fault I could find was that I was left wondering for 38 minutes into the movie how long Eden had been in prison. But perhaps that was by design. The song Eden sang at the end was slightly corny, but then... for an amateur redneck performing at the local honkey tonk, it was about what you'd expect, I suppose. I loved Henry Darrow's role (am I the only one who remembers Manolito from The High Chapparal series in the late 60's?), and although his scenes were brief, his presence was richly felt. I don't give 10 stars lightly, but this one definitely deserved it, IMO.
jr-339-124628
Soda Springs is an uplifting story about second chances and redemption. It is a well acted and beautifully shot film with a couple of good plot twists. Many of the characters in the film are easy to identify with which brings it home in several scenes. It starts slowly and builds nicely. This film won best feature film at the Louisville International Festival of film last fall and just won the audience award at the Sun Valley Film Festival a few weeks ago. That says a lot. The film isn't rated, but, I would guess it's probably PG for those wondering. This is a great little indie film worth seeing.
