Laurie Hunter

Terrible acting. Predictable plot line. Forgettable characters. Irrelevant music. Cheesy costuming. Ridiculous "fights". Posed set. Inconsistent diction. Waste. Of. Time. And don't insult the Spaghetti Westerns by calling this "movie" a SW. It absolutely is not. Just remove it from Netflix and save the internet space. (Two stars because at least animals and children were not shown to be hurt.)

The "professional" movie critics are showing their pompousness in their collective reviews of this movie, trying way too hard to be "sensitive" to "the Appalachian people" (as if they are a special interest group who will take offense and need protecting by said critics). Also, to say the character development is lacking while also criticizing the flashbacks which give background is seriously grasping at straws for something to sound critical about. That was the whole point. Finally, to say that there was too much repetitive screaming and yelling may be noting a preference, but it also denies the reality of people who live in such hellish family environments. I have known families that function exactly like this, including calling their spouses, children and grandchildren names and using adjectives that demean, belittle and discourage...and it never takes a break. I think the writers were trying to show a different side of life (especially and apparently much different from the quiet, peaceful lives of said critics!) and its effect on the participants and victims. And through it all, these critics failed to recognize the passion, the to-the-death loyalty, and the need for family connection that resonated with each character. Through all of the vehement, cruel and selfish behavior ran a truth that these critics totally missed: this family never gave up on each other. Was it an excellent movie? Nah. But neither were a lot of Oscar-winners that critics fell all over themselves to laud and praise. But was it a movie worth watching, a movie that was thought-provoking, a movie that will have people talking and perhaps even seeking to learn more about these "Appalachian people"? I think so. Did it entertain? Yes. And after all, isn't that the whole point of a movie?