RyothChatty ridiculous rating

PlatinumRead Just so...so bad

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Jack_in_Maryland The film is a finely crafted study of the slippery slope of moral compromise, set in a farming community of quite sympathetic and very believable characters going about lives of day-to-day and decision- to-decision, quiet survival. Superbly and beautifully shot with understated visuals that gently draw one in, the viewer becomes involved in a worsening chain of difficult paths the characters feel they must take, although they know that the outcomes could be failure of their finances, their morals, and their responsibilities to their children.The writer and director, Kimberly Levin (who brings stage directing experience to the task), displays a sure hand, uses no cheap tricks, and -- above all -- keeps faith with her viewers by framing conflicts honestly and by offering no easy answers. And despite whatever superlatives I use, the film is better than the words I can bring to bear describing it. See it: you will be enriched, as I was.

megandobkin RUNOFF is a true movie-lover's movie. It takes us into a world that most of us know little about and explores it with a sophistication and class rarely seen in a debut film. The last half hour will have you on the edge of your seat. Joanne Kelly is a true star, her face brings you in like a silent movie star's would. It was so refreshing to see a movie that could have been so righteous dogmatic, instead allow its political charge to be simply experiential. It takes a tremendous amount of faith in the characters and the story to do that. Levin doesn't just present you this world, she puts you in surround sound of it. You truly feel as if you are there. Throughout the entire piece, her camera is enveloping you in the everyday beauty of this environment, and you will (like Betty) feel compelled to protect it with all you have.

Red_Identity I can't say that the film didn't actually surprise me with its pace. I can take slow though, but the meat of what the film was really about is what struck more. There's a unique sensibility that it has that sort of makes it stand apart from others of its ilk. Even then, the directing is really impressive and helps to underline what's underneath. The performances in the film are also impressive. I first saw Joanne Kelly in Don't Blink and was impressed by her, and again I'm struck by her natural screen presence. She comes off as someone who's been doing this kind of thing for a long career. I don't think the film is amazing or anything, or even all that great, but it's definitely worth a watch.

katie bienvenue "Runoff" is a film about a middle class farming family that has found themselves falling on hard times. Betty, the mother of this family, must decide whither to put her personal morals aside to help them out of their rut or watch as their small town life's begin to unravel even more around them.The story is something many people have found themselves experiencing more and more today with the economic hardships. But to see it from a rural stand point just proves how universal the films themes of survival are. You can be from an Urban or Suburban area and still understand what these characters are going through, and decide on if you agree with their actions in the end.The film also gives a great glimpse into the Farming community itself! Almost shot documentary style, we get an inside glimpse of the underbelly of how farms are run and the competitiveness that there is between the small town farmers and the big corporations. You really discover that there isn't really a difference between the American Cultures when you examine them under the microscope that this film brings to light, and that is due part by the fantastic script that Kimberly Levin presents and her directing style.A great script and story isn't all that this film has to offer though, it's cast is stellar. Especially Joanne Kelly, mostly known for her role in "Warehouse 13", who carries the film. For those who are fans of her work as Myka Bering they will be shocked to see her very stripped down and completely raw in what I want to say is probably one of her best performances! Even with there being so little dialog in some scenes just her presence conveys so much. It's not all seriousness either. The story is able to bring out a few good laughs along with really making us examine our own moral values in the end. It's certainly a small film that needs to be shown in a bigger light and totally worth checking out!