The film explores the story of a young widow of a New York writer. That woman travels there to investigate the death of her husband, who was already mysterious. In those moments, things turn when the woman faces a popular singer, forcing her to face her loss and the mysterious circumstances of what happened.
Tumbledown comes up light in the categories that matter most, miring a capable cast in a forced cable-knit folksiness familiar to anyone who has ever watched anything set in New England.
'Tumbledown' is not-quite-a-humdinger about a dead folk singer, featuring funnyman Jason Sudeikis as a surprisingly effective romantic lead, and as such-it's right nice.
Despite its earnest charms, Tumbledown is the type of movie that explores its themes and touchstones so insistently that you start to hunger for any alternative to acoustic guitars or overcoming grief.
Hall and Sudeikis circle around one another warily, erupting into defensiveness, shutting each other out, then letting each other back in. There's a rhythm to it. Mewshaw helps sustain that rhythm.
We're meant to warm to Hannah and Andrew as they wear each other down with good-natured ribbing. But Ms. Hall and Mr. Sudeikis hardly warm up themselves, showing little chemistry and looking unsure how to play the film's tone, or the would-be zingers.
As a study of grief, it's moving, featuring authentic performances and a keen understanding of the receding hibernation that comes with losing a cornerstone person in one's life.
A romantic tragicomedy that debates between the ironic dialogue and the reflection on the legacy and the ways to look for the happiness in an ideal Arcadia. [Full review in Spanish]
First-time director Sean Mewshaw and screenwriter Desi Van Til - they're married - have decided, intriguingly, to craft a movie about loss and letting go. And they've done so with uncommon humor and heart.
