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Reeseville [2003]
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Reeseville: Midwestern American Gothic.
Review date: 2007-11-05 Rating: 6 out of 10
Film Review: Reeseville (2003)
Production Companies: Pied Piper Productions, Doomed Productions Ltd.
Director: Christian Otjen
Screenplay: Christian Otjen
Cinematography: Jerry Holway
Music: Kevin Saunders Hayes
Producers: Dan Kattman and Holly Mosher
Main Cast: Brad Hunt, Mark Hamill, Majandra Delfino, Brian Wimmer, Sally Struthers and Missy Crider.
DVD Release: Doomed Productions Ltd.
Rating: R for violence, sexuality and language
Run Time: 99 minutes
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Director Christian Otjen (Lady in the Box, Frightened to Death) is back with another mystery set in Wisconsin. Reeseville is an engaging character study about small-town secrets. Part mystery, part drama, it holds the viewer with its engaging characters and some stellar performances.
Otjen's polished film is set in the small Wisconsin town of Reeseville, which is located about half-way between Milwaukee and Madison. However, it could be set in any small, Midwestern town, which is part of its appeal. Without giving away too much, the basic plot involves the apparent suicide of an old man on the very day his estranged son shows up back in town after nearly twenty years' absence. The town's Sheriff (Brian Wimmer) suspects the son (in a fine, understated performance by Brad Hunt) of foul play after the town's quirky coroner, played by Mark Hamill, informs him it might not have been a suicide.
The strength of Reeseville lies in several wonderful performances, most notably Mark Hamill and Miss Crider. Mark Hamill plays the coroner Zeke in a quiet, understated performance which really highlights what a wonderful character actor he has become. The beautiful Missy Crider steals every scene she's in. She plays the best friend of the Sheriff's sister. Ms. Crider is radiant and the camera obviously loves her. My largest complaint about the film is that she was not featured more prominently.
As he did with Lady in the Box, Otjen has made a wonderful looking film here. Reeseville is expertly shot by DP Jerry Holway. The film captures the small-town feel of Midwestern life expertly. Christian Otjen is obviously talented as a filmmaker, and I await his next film excitedly.
The film's flaws are not many. Reeseville works more as a character study than a thriller, although there are some suspenseful moments. The film could have actually used another twenty minutes or so, in order to flesh out the characters and provide more of Ms. Crider and Mr. Hamill.
As of right now, the film is only available on DVD in the United States through the film's website. The DVD itself is very well presented. Crisp picture and sound. Thirty minutes of deleted scenes provide a glimpse of an even better film. The DVD also includes a few theatrical trailers as well as a behind-the-scenes photo album. Perhaps in the near future, a large distribution company will pick up this smart, taut character-driven mystery.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Majandra Delfino
Brian Wimmer
Brad Hunt
Mark Hamill
Missy Crider
Creators:
Brad Hunt (Primary Contributor)
Majandra Delfino (Primary Contributor)
Jerry Holway (Cinematographer)
Jerry Holway (Producer)
Jerry Holway (Writer)
Christian Otjen (Producer)
Christian Otjen (Writer)
Dan Kattman (Producer)
Holly Mosher (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900970839
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-02-14
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003
Language: English (Original Language)