Movie : Macon County Line

Two brothers set out for a good time before they are shipped out for service in the military. They are down south and plan to drive around, chase women and raise some hell. Just looking to have some fun. Things are going as planned. They even manage to pick up a young woman who is game to join the good times. Car trouble throws a wrench into things and they have to stop and get it fixed at a rundown garage. They meet up with the local Sheriff at the garage who pretty well tells them to get the car fixed and keep moving. Things start to change at this point and the trip goes from a lighthearted romp to a dark ride into more trouble than the brothers bargained for. Macon County is not the place for a good time.

Macon County was a surprise for CB. I was expecting a B movie that might be half entertaining. What I got was a B movie that was a lot more. It still has that low budget, indie feel but it gets out of  its weight class with so much more. Good story, great locations, direction, cinematography and some very good performances. Alan and Jesse Vint (actual brothers) play the brothers in the film. They do a really good job as a couple  of young guys out for a good time. Natural and believable. Good character actors spread throughout.

The kicker for me was Max Baer Jr as the Sheriff. The only thing I knew Max from was the Beverly Hillbillies. I was impressed with his work in this. He’s a long way from Jethro in this one. His work is so believable and truthful. Regular friendly small town sheriff with a menacing, intimidating presence. He is protecting his people. Then he has his father side. You don’t question his love for his family. He is a product of his environment and the times. No scene chewing just a real low key kinda scary guy. He wrote and produced the movie also.

These are the small American films I like. They capture a time and a place in the culture. Some subtle stuff going on in this film. Yeah there’s a few bumps in the movie but way more things that work

There was something I really dug about this movie. A “Drive In” flick for sure and a sleeper that took me for the ride. It’s stayed with me for a long time. Enough to make CB a fan. So take a ride down to Macon County or not. Some bad shit might happen.

Advertisements