Plot Summary
Jake Reeson is an aspirational country artist trying to find ‘the big break’ in Nashville. He’s running from a broken family life and checkered past, always thinking that the next gig and the next drink are the answer to his problems. However, when he begins to rediscover loved ones from his past that he thought he left behind, the emptiness of his life is finally exposed and he is left dazed and confused. The only way forward is to determine what he’s going to do with the Christian faith some of his loved ones are trying to introduce him to.
Production Quality (1 point)
Like a Country Song, in keeping with other Skipstone productions, is a real mess that really could have been something. The video quality is clear, but the camera work is shaky. The sets and locations are pretty good, but they could be better. This creative team usually prides themselves in creating innovative soundtracks, and they usually do. In some parts, this soundtrack is quite interesting, but it other parts, it feels shoved down your throat. The live music element is interesting but not used properly, including the stupid title track. Sometimes artistic elements become too abstract and isolate the viewer. Also, editing is very much absent from this film as long staring scenes are allowed to stay and many points are understated. In short, this was a production that had a lot going for it but never found the mark.
Plot and Storyline Quality (.5 point)
This film is basically an incomplete idea. Focusing on behavioral and family issues is commendable, but not when the characters are underdeveloped and empty. We cannot appreciate the potentially meaningful struggles these characters experience because we cannot connect with them as real people. There is far too much melodrama and not enough redemption. Issues are resolved too easily with no real explanation as to how they were resolved. The little dialogue that is in this film is filled with information dumps and clichés. The timeline of the story jumps all around with no real explanation. On the positive side, there are some slightly creative albeit unfinished spiritual elements in the storyline. But this does not make up for the other issues, especially the very confusing ending. In the end, any meaning that could be derived from this plot is forced upon you and is not conveyed in a redemptive way. It’s just another wasted idea.
Acting Quality (0 points)
In an attempt to build a ‘star-studded’ cast, the production team struck out on quality. For starters, all the makeup jobs are horrible. Cast members either exhibit extreme over the top emotion or monotone nothingness. Too many lines are mumbled. Billy Ray Cyrus really never needs to be cast in the film, as he gives off the appearance of druggie the entire time. Joel Smallbone constantly trying to mask his Australian accent is also annoying and unnecessary. There is really nothing good to highlight here.
Conclusion
Sigh. We have to wonder why this film was not cut or reworked during the storyboard process, if there was one. All we can figure is that they got these ‘big name’ cast members to agree to a vague idea and then ‘had’ to go with it for the sake of making another Christian movie. Redemption plots have huge amounts of potential, as do movies involving original soundtracks. However, these concepts in and of themselves are not enough to carry a film. You need more than this. The day Christian movie makers learn this for good is the day that the entertainment world is finally turned on its ear.
Final Rating: 1.5 out of 10 points
Box Office Revolution 