Film Review: Shotgun Stories

Shotgun Stories:

Shotgun Stories is a film about 3 brothers - Son, Boy & Kid Hayes - whose alcoholic abusive father walked out and left them in poverty when they were youngsters, subsequently went off found god, rehabilitated himself and then raised another family - except this time around he was the perfect father. The film starts off when the brothers find out that their father has died and they head to his funeral to leave their respects to the man they also called 'dad'. Needless to say the grieving family aren't appreciative of their comments and the rancorous funeral speech given by Son is the catalyst for the actions that occur throughout the rest of the film.

Set in a small run-down withering town where there isn't enough space available for the rival siblings not to run into each other every day - every situation and encounter could possibly be their last, and most dangerous, one. The two families despise each other, both equally united in their hatred of the others existence and these step-brothers are not shy in letting each other know exactly how they feel, up close and personal style.

I felt slightly unnerved and also in awe while watching Shotgun Stories - in a world where every TV show or film comes at you in such a relentless fashion it's a complete refreshing change to have a film confident enough in itself to tell the story it wants to tell - and especially at it's own leisurely pace to boot. Believe me when i say that this film is a slow-building ride but unlike others where your attention may wane Shotgun Stories managed to keep me not just interested - but engaged in the proceedings of the Hayes boys throughout.

Michael Shannon in particular is fucking awesome as Son - but then again he rarely disappoints - and i look forward eagerly to watching him appearing in Martin Scorsese's Boardwalk Empire. The other two Hayes boys are also thoroughly engaging in their own individual way - i don't know if that's their acting or maybe just the epic script - but regardless of whatever it is they are more than adequate support for Shannon. The rest of the cast are full of unknowns and randomers and they all do their jobs sufficiently - especially seeing as the supporting parts aren't that big at all outside the Hayes clan.

Shotgun Stories doesn't have any frills, spills, special effects or jack-sh*t - what it does have is a story of slow burning hatred that bubbles near boiling point throughout. If you want to watch a film that harks back to the days when actual stories were told in films then Shotgun Stories is the one for you. Just don't expect anything to happen in it anytime fast. 3/5