Watch These Hopeless Savages

These Hopeless Savages is a heartwarming and poignant film directed by Patrick J. Donnelly. The movie explores the complexity of family relationships and the struggle of finding one's own identity. The story centers around a family of musicians who live in Upstate New York. The family consists of mother, Mimi (Barbara Weetman), and her three children: Jack (Matt Dellapina), Jane (Mackenzie Meehan), and Jude (Sean Christopher Lewis). Mimi is a former folk singer who has now retired and is dealing with the aftermath of the death of her husband, a famous musician in his day.

Jack, the eldest of the siblings, is a struggling musician who has moved back home after the failure of his band. He is bitter and resentful towards his mother and blames her for his father's death. Jane, the middle child, is a successful graphic designer who is engaged to be married to her longtime boyfriend. She is torn between her desire for a stable life with her fiancé and her passion for music, which she has put on hold to pursue her career.

Jude, the youngest of the siblings, is a rebellious teenager who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is dealing with the normal teenage issues of identity and fitting in, but he is also grappling with the knowledge that his father was not the man he thought he was.

As the family gathers together for Jane's wedding, tensions rise and old wounds are reopened. Mimi tries to bring her family together by organizing a family concert, but her efforts only seem to make things worse. However, as the family begins to confront their issues and open up to each other, they begin to realize that they are not hopeless savages after all.

One of the strengths of These Hopeless Savages is its realistic portrayal of family dynamics. The film depicts the complexity of family relationships with sensitivity and nuance. Each member of the family has their own struggles and desires, and the film shows how these intersect and clash.

The performances in the film are also exceptional. Matt Dellapina gives a compelling portrayal of a bitter and resentful musician who is struggling to find his place in the world. Mackenzie Meehan is equally convincing as a successful designer who is torn between her desire for stability and her passion for music. Sean Christopher Lewis also shines in his role as a rebellious teenager who is struggling to come to terms with his father's legacy.

The music in the film is also a highlight. The folk songs performed by the family are both beautiful and haunting, and they add to the emotional depth of the film. The music also serves as a reminder of the family's legacy and the importance of their shared love of music.

Overall, These Hopeless Savages is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores the complexity of family relationships and the struggle of finding one's own identity. The film is beautifully shot and features exceptional performances from its cast. This is a film that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or disconnected from their family, and it is a reminder that even the most dysfunctional families can find hope and healing.

These Hopeless Savages is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.