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Actors: Janet McTeer, Aidan Quinn, Pat Carroll, Jane Adams, E. Katherine Kerr
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Songcatcher |
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In the deep south of 1907, women received few promotions. Totally disgusted when she's again passed over (by a man), Dr. Lillie Penleric (Janet McTeer) resigns as Professor of Music History to reside with her sister Helen in Appalachia. Since nothing there is what it seems, she quickly learns that Helen is a lesbian.
As she meets the locals, she discovers that most seem to regularly sing ancient Irish and Scottish ballads with a clarity and local idiosyncrasies that inspire Lillie to categorize them for a book she'll write. Since the nearby coal company wants to purchase this land, many perceive Lillie as just another capitalist, seeking to sell the mountain heritage. In particular, worldly Tom Bledsoe (Adain Quinn) who's “been to Chicago” and therefore understands “outlander” values. Tom is ornery enough to trick Lillie into removing her clothes, even though he eventually becomes her love interest and business partner.
An interesting character is Tom's grandmother, Viney who readily pours out scores of songs into the victrola/wax recorder which Lillie must lug up the mountains.
This film is no “Deliverance.” These people are simple and clean, perhaps because “hygiene” is taught in the school. They don't seem to work very hard but rather play fiddle, sing in church and drink from jugs. If for nothing else, see “Songcatcher” for its unusual soundtrack and for the unimaginably beautiful mountain backdrops of western North Carolina.
--Angry Jim Magin, Resident Scholar
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A music teacher goes into the mountains to visit her sister who has set up a school there to teach the "backwards" mountain children. The teacher discovers the mountain people have beautiful, orignal versions of old songs that have been passed down through generations. She works on these while falling in love, learning her sister is a lesbian and making unlikely friends.
--Katrina, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Songcatcher |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1900-1920's
Job/Profession/Poverty Story?
Yes
Job:
- musician
Ethnic/Regional/Gender story?
Yes
Woman/class/friends story?
- story of lower class
Story of city/rural life?
- Small Town
Culture of surrounding area:
- American South
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- teacher/professor
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- blonde
- red
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn wavey
Body type
- (man) average
- (woman) ample bosom & buttocks
Unclothed?
- Slightly see-through clothes
Events of movie makes character more...
- happy
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard wavey
Body type
- (man) muscular
- (man) average build
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
- general circumstances
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Body type
- (man) skinny
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- healthy but a geeky weakling
Setting
Mountains/Cliffs
Yes
Mountains:
- climbing on trails
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Misc setting
- school
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Movie makes you feel...
- very happy
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- kissing
- touching of personal anatomy
- lesbians!
- seeing breasts
Any profanity?
- None
- Occasional swearing
If lots of song/dance...
- lot of singing
- lot of singing and dancing
If this is a kid's movie...
- Ages 5-10
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Folk music
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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