I don't watch movies often, as I find that there are very few releases that are thoughtful and relevant enough to warrant my time. Earlier this year, when I heard that a movie was being filmed in the very area/towns in which I grew up, I was intrigued and put it on my "must watch" list.
This film did not disappoint. It is not only quirky and funny, but truly heartwarming, and really, honestly, *stunning*. The storyline of Guitar Lessons weaves a tapestry of several characters working through their personal demons. A wonderful movie that breaks barriers of age, race, language and socioeconomic status, putting us all on a level field. It speaks to the fact that we are all interconnected and have something we can learn from oneanother. One very moving scene in the film imparts a lesson that facing our pain head on is where the healing begins.
The cinematography in this movie is stunning, nuanced and truly showcases the raw beauty that is Northern Alberta. It also accurately depicts and juxtaposes the harsh reality of poverty in some rural communities with the joy and humour that can still be found within the roughness of life. Having lived in this area, I can attest to the accuracy of the portrayals.
Overall, what I love most about the film is that it is real; it is raw; it is uniquely "us." In a world full of hurt, we don't need more fancy, more fake, or more fluff. We need stories like these to bring us home; home to what really matters.