The directorial debut of William Macy, "Rudderless" stars Miles Heizer as Josh Stewart, a young musician who goes on a college shooting spree. Blaming himself for these killings, Josh's father, Sam Stewart (Billy Crudup), quits a successful advertising career and becomes a recluse.
"Rudderless'" second act watches as Sam begins singing his son's songs at a local bar. Here he is befriended by Quentin (Anton Yelchin), a young musician. Sam takes Quentin under his wing, becomes a surrogate father, and attempts to atone for his perceived failures as a parent.
At its best, "Rudderless" is a cute film filled with atmospheric alcoves, fine music and endearing performances by Billy Crudup and Anton Yelchin. At its worst, however, "Rudderless" tastelessly uses a weighty subject for cheap jolts. The film has no real interest in Josh Stewart, and never treats his gimmicky rampage as anything more than the result of "something mysterious" or "a workaholic father". A better artist would have omitted or re-written this subplot entirely. Laurence Fishburne co-stars.
7/10 – Worth one viewing.
"Rudderless'" second act watches as Sam begins singing his son's songs at a local bar. Here he is befriended by Quentin (Anton Yelchin), a young musician. Sam takes Quentin under his wing, becomes a surrogate father, and attempts to atone for his perceived failures as a parent.
At its best, "Rudderless" is a cute film filled with atmospheric alcoves, fine music and endearing performances by Billy Crudup and Anton Yelchin. At its worst, however, "Rudderless" tastelessly uses a weighty subject for cheap jolts. The film has no real interest in Josh Stewart, and never treats his gimmicky rampage as anything more than the result of "something mysterious" or "a workaholic father". A better artist would have omitted or re-written this subplot entirely. Laurence Fishburne co-stars.
7/10 – Worth one viewing.