The already dense ambience gets progressively heavier as the investigation continues, with Gass-Donnelly keeping a tight grip on the artful compositions. Michael Rechtshafen of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Small Town Murder Songs is "An effective ensemble backed by a bracingly haunting soundtrack" after its screening at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival he also saw similarities with Winter's Bone and found "much to admire about this carefully drawn but concise character sketch, especially the strong performances and a unique, affectingly ominous score by folk-rock-gospel outfit Bruce Peninsula. Stephen Cole from The Globe and Mail wrote a positive review, saying, "STMS succeeds as an Ontario Gothic mood piece". On Metacritic, the film has a score of 66 out of 100, based on reviews from 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 79%, based on reviews from 19 critics, with an average score of 6.07/10. Indianapolis International Film Festival.Santa Barbara International Film Festival.Palm Springs International Film Festival.Torino Film Festival - WINNER Fipresci Critic’s Prize Best Film.Whistler Film Festival - WINNER Best Actress.Phoenix Film Festival - World Cinema Director.Santa Catalina Film Festival - Winner Best Feature.Small Town Murder Songs was selected at the following film festivals: Monterey Media release the film on DVD in July 2011. The limited United States theatrical release began at the O-Cinema in Wynwood, Miami, Florida. Monterey Media acquired the United States distribution rights in 2011. The investigation quickly reveals that Steve and the victim were both seen that night at a nearby strip club. The 911 phone call reporting the discovery is quickly traced to Rita, who lies to the police when questioned and insists that her new lover, Steve (Stephen Eric McIntyre), was with her on the evening of the crime. It is the town's first murder in decades. Walter's newfound equilibrium is put to the test when the body of a young woman is found near a lake. The protagonist, Walter (Peter Stormare), is a stocky, middle-aged policeman whose violent past has made him a local pariah. Beneath a deceptive calm, it uncovers a core of fear and loathing as ominous as the backwoods world of Winter's Bone. Stephen Holden, writing for The New York Times, explained the story:Įd Gass-Donnelly's rural crime drama, Small Town Murder Songs, punctures the veneer of bucolic quiet in a mostly Mennonite farming community in Ontario. Just beware of the loud soundtrack."A modern, gothic tale of crime and redemption about an aging police officer from a small Ontario Mennonite town who hides a violent past until a local murder upsets the calm of his newly reformed life." If you like slow, heavy thrillers with interesting characters but not much action, give it a shot. It also reminded me of the 2005 film "Capote". I can definitely see some similarities with their serious side ("A Serious Man", "The Man Who Wasn't There"). The DVD cover compares it to the Coen Brothers. Instead you get a thick disturbing atmosphere, occasional dramatic flashbacks and unyielding tension building up. In fact, basically there's no action at all. Back to the movie, like I said above, it's suspenseful and mysterious.
If you have it up too loud, I guarantee your neighbors will start pounding on the floor thinking you're starting a weird psycho cult and sacrificing first born children or something twisted like that. My advice to you would be to turn the volume down as much as possible while still being able to understand the dialogue. The music itself was appropriate (jarring religious hymns), but they were just so loud and harsh that they distracted from the poetry of what was on screen.
But check the discussion boards, I'm not the only one who thought the overbearing music killed the mood. These films are set in provincial towns, seemingly cut off from the world, and that adds to the suspense and mystery.
The movie itself is a haunting, powerful experience, much like the excellent Gothic thriller "Septien" and the short film "The Abattoir".