“Rudderless” is a driven find

William H. Macy’s directorial debut uses the power of music to bring forth raw performances.

Hayley Langdon, Writer

Often for Redbox Film Club, we remind you of the great movies you missed out on while they were in theaters, such as “The Fault in Our Stars” or “Captain America: Winter Soldier.” With the final one of the school year, this edition of Redbox Film Club presents a movie overlooked during its stint in theaters.

A Music-Centered Drama

William H. Macy’s first directing gig brings movie-goers “Rudderless,” a music-centered drama that debuted at Sundance in January 2014 and hit theaters at the end of the year. The movie follows the life of Sam (Billy Crudup), a father who has lost his son Josh (Miles Heizer) in a college shooting. Focusing on the aftermath of his sudden death, “Rudderless” shows the rocky road to recovering Sam takes in order to work through his grief.

It is not until the movie skips ahead to two years after the loss that the story itself picks up. Upon finding that his son was a singer-songwriter who had been recording all his music, Sam begins not only to listen to, but plays the songs his son left behind. Through an open-mic night at a local bar, Sam meets Quentin “Q” (Anton Yelchin) who encourages him to play the music, unaware it is not Sam’s original work. The two soon form an odd friendship and get a band together called Rudderless, packing out the bar every Saturday night with Josh’s music — unintentionally.

When the truth of the artist’s real identity comes to light, it brings with it other revelations that make the movie cut deeper.

Putting Words to Emotions

Crudup and Yelchin bring a raw performance often found in indie films exemplified in the music of Rudderless. Each a misfit in their own way, a unique father-son relationship brings Sam back to reality and out of the reclusive life he has led for the past few years. But by coming out of hiding, Sam is now confronted by all of his suppressed emotions associated with the death of his son. Despite my regrets of Josh’s music not being showcased more, utilizing it to its full capacity, the music used put words to the obvious emotions Sam was working through.

The Healing Powers of Music

A movie that took me by surprise with the feelings it evoked and the pure, unadulterated music sung throughout, “Rudderless” is one I recommend to anyone who understands the healing powers of music.

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