Much-feared hermit Felix Bush comes to town with a wad of cash and announces his intention to preside over his own funeral. This way he can hear what everyone is saying about him, and get the truth to his past out in the open. But will he be able to get anybody to come? And will he be able to reveal his secrets?
The creaky foreshadowing is a big problem, and the movie runs in place for most of its second half, though Duvall manages to pull it back on track with his climactic soliloquy, which sobers and silences the carnivalesque funeral party.
It contains yet another pitch-perfect performance by Robert Duvall, who has given more great performances over the age of 60 than any actor, probably ever.
FILMINK (Australia)
May 24, 2011
Basically, it's Hollywood slush dressed up as American Gothic.
