Rudderless

In select theaters
October 17^th 2014

105 minutes

English

U.S.A.

In William H. Macy’s moving directorial debut RUDDERLESS, Billy Crudup plays Sam, a former high-profile advertising executive whose life is torn apart by the sudden death of his son. Living off the grid on a docked sailboat, he wastes away his days while drowning his pain in alcohol. When Sam discovers a box filled with his son's demo tapes and lyrics, his own child’s musical talent is a revelation for him, a grieving father yearning to reconnect with his son. He begins to explore his son’s unknown talent, obsessively learning his songs, until one day he decides to play one of them at a local bar. The song captivates Quentin, a young musician (Anton Yelchin) in the audience, and the two unlikely friends decide to form a rock 'n' roll band called Rudderless that becomes surprisingly popular and revitalizes both of their lives.

starring...

Billy Crudup

Sam

Anton Yelchin

Quentin

Selena Gomez

Kate

Laurence Fishburne

Del

Felicity Huffman

Emily

William H. Macy

Trill

Ben Kweller

Willie

Jamie Chung

Lisa Martin

Director

William H. Macy

Written By

William H. Macy, Casey Twenter, Jeff Robison

Director of Photography

Eric Lin

Production Designer

Chris Stull

Editor

John Axelrad

Producer

Keith Kjarval, Brad Greiner

Songs By

Simon Steadman, Charlton Pettus and Fink

Score by

Eef Barzelay

96% on the CINEMETER

STL

99% - Oct 12, 2014

Rudderless broke my heart. What an unexpected portrayal of such a tragedy. It would have been easy to make Rudderless a propaganda piece for gun control. Instead, the result is a beautifully crafted, told and sung story about Sam, a character brought to life by the incredibly underrated Billy Crudup. Wow.

St. Louis Member

One of the best films I've ever seen...Incredible film. Deeply affecting on many levels.
St. Louis Member

Profoundly complex exploration of art and life as they affect each other. Deep, funny and uplifting while tearing our hearts out at the same time.

A gift of insight into human nature, with its juxtaposition of good and evil.
St. Louis Member

Lovely. Humane. Best film I've seen in Cinema Club. Excellent acting. Great story. Will win a gazillion awards.

Best rock-and-roll movie since "The Commitments."
St. Louis Member

Everyone just walked out of the theater in complete silence. Quite a feat for this crowd.
St. Louis Member

This movie was so superb. Macy has a wonderful touch. Everything about the story rang so true and the story was told so subtly.

Intense. Beautiful. Horrific.

St. Louis Member

MIL

97% - Oct 12, 2014

Great! Lots of emotion.
Milwaukee Member

I'm not good at dissecting films to find meaning but with RUDDERLESS it doesn't matter. I loved it. I loved the music. This was the most enjoyable film I've seen in a while. Where can I get the soundtrack?
Milwaukee Member

So powerful. Great film to address grief, shame, the role of family, and how one process of these things. Very moving.
Milwaukee Member

92% - Oct 5, 2014

Fabulous story line, extremely well executed, amazing combination of humor, poignancy and depth. Well-acted, filmed, paced and directed. What a fine directorial debut by William H. Macy. Kudos and I hope to see much more from him!
San Francisco Member

Good storytelling about a taboo topic. Heartbreaking and relevant.
San Francisco Member

Best film I've seen this year. Billy Crudup was sensational. The music the son was supposed to have written was not only great, but it was perfect as the music of a troubled soul.
San Francisco Member

I wish the reveal had come a little sooner to allow more development of the reason for Sam's collapse. But I still like it very much. Nice humor in the screenplay.
San Francisco Member

For me the sparseness of the backstory (of both Quentin and the troubled son) worked better - life is like that, we fill in backstory all the time, accurately or not.
San Francisco Member

If I buy the soundtrack of this film, will I feel guilty about the fact that the songs were supposed to be written by a school shooter?
San Francisco Member

96% - Oct 5, 2014

Heartbreaking and wonderful. Does anyone ever think about the suffering and guilt of the parents of the killer? The movie touches every parent's worst nightmare, but shows the triumph over great tragedy. Terrific music throughout.
Greater New Haven Member

Simply perfect. To raise what could have been a 'Lifetime Channel' to his level was pure talent. Thank you, W,H, Macy!
Greater New Haven Member

This is why I love film and the Cinema Club. Eloquently helped us experience a different point of view. The universality of loss, forgiveness, and the complexity from all sides. The twist was a very effective way of building empathy. A gem. Note from Michael: many comments praising the effectiveness of the plot twist.
Greater New Haven Member

This was a fantastic film: well directed, well-cast, and the music outstanding. I want to see it again!
Greater New Haven Member

Pacing and rhythm terrific, masterful. Tough topic handled with cinematic sensitivity and believable honesty -- true journey of emotions. Interesting that there is little dialogue yet the film achieves so much emotion and clear story. Music great. My favorite movie in two years of the Cinema Club. Note from Michael: another respondent also commented that it was the best film in her two years of the Club.
Greater New Haven Member

Outstanding. This is why I have been a member from the first year. Thank you!
Greater New Haven Member

Billy Crudup is amazing (note from Michael: numerous comments praising his performance). This directorial debut is astounding. I want to see everything he does in the future. The score is excellent as well. This movie is why I come to the Cinema Club. One of the best films we have seen in years.
Greater New Haven Member

94% - Oct 5, 2014

On or behind the screen, WIlliam H Macy always proves he is one of our generations best!
Washington, DC Member

As a mother of a preteen and an aging hipster, I can't thank William H Macy enough for understanding the desire to hide from aging and painful facts about our children. Incredibly moving.
Washington, DC Member

I could almost smell this movie, from the alcohol fumes to the paint fumes to the boat fumes. Excellent film that spoke to all the senses.
Washington, DC Member

I thought the subject matter was bold and completely well handled.
Washington, DC Member

Powerful movie and so well done. I loved the fact that it did not have such an American ending - I.e. Knowing what happens to all of the characters.
Washington, DC Member

Beautiful. Painful. Joyous.

Best film I have seen in a long time!

Washington, DC Member

BOS

94% - Oct 5, 2014

One of the best films ever at The Cinema Club.
Boston Member

Brave look into the agony that the parents of the perpetrator experienced.
Boston Member

Beautifully written and edited. Fast-paced for the length of the film. Billy Crudup and Anton Yelchin were amazing. Great acting all around.
Boston Member

I LOVED this movie. Painful but beautifully told, great acting.
Boston Member

The music was GREAT (several times).
Boston Member

ATL

99% - Oct 12, 2014

Amazing! Shows the healing, redemptive and connecting power of music.
Atlanta Member

One of the most emotionally satisfying movies I have seen. Billy Crudup gave a superb performance.
Atlanta Member

Awesome story about a tough subject. Somewhat predictable but strikingly well presented and very well acted. The ending is dramatic and finally gives closure to all Sam's feelings and state of mind.
Atlanta Member

Excellent! Well told story--liked the way it unfolds and truth is exposed. Painful story but I'm glad the music helped to ease some of the pain and tell the story.
Atlanta Member

Thank you! What a wonderful moving and touching film. This is why I come to movie club--to see this type of film. (3xs)
Atlanta Member

IDP Goldwyn