It is Spring. Are you missing a romance that hasn’t happened or maybe you are homesick for a place you have never been to? Well, I am here to introduce you to a movie that will appeal to both of these tastes: Country Crush.
It is a classic movie about a girl who is left without a place to stay after her car breaks down and meets a small-town mechanic who falls in love with her. But life is complicated and sets them apart.
What I love about this movie is that it is perfect in every way it depicts what a true romance is like and depicts the American South beautifully.
First, I would like to talk about the characters and more especially the interaction between the main characters, Nancy and Charlie (their names aren’t really important; it is the feeling, besides they remind you at the end of the movie.) The way the movie sets up their characters and problems in the film is amazing to be done so subtly but also upfront that you have no choice but to notice it. Like the emphasis on Nancy saying she has a boyfriend or insinuating that Charlie wants to sleep with her, in addition to Charlie’s insistence on being a perfect gentleman.
In addition, there are many moments where even the small details are noticed like when there is a big emotional moment, but Charlie gives no reaction or looks at the viewer. However, these characters grow together through the time they spend with each other sharing their secrets, and forcing themselves to open up by messing with their personal business or putting in front of a large group of people.
Another great part of this movie is the big buildup of the emotional heartbeat of the movie which is Charlie’s family. Charlie is hurting because his mother got sick even though he tried to make enough money to save her. However, another tragedy strikes him as his brother was (heavily insinuated) to be blown up in war. Much of the movie is spent on this buildup as we get to see their interaction and love through a song in the beginning. In addition to four other songs in the entire movie. You can see the importance of it when the wife of the brother is the biggest picture on the poster. Also, the movie chooses to not solve this conflict for her or Charlie besides a big dance party for Charlie.
Despite being written and acted by Canadians, they all have a perfect American country accent, even city accents. The ones who aren’t from Canada aren’t from the South. But their acting and singing are on point, the subtle singing and acting showing they are just normal people in the South who happen to burst into song every 5 minutes. However, it is acclaimed with Nancy winning best actress in the Lake Charles Film Festival.
Now I would like to talk about the best part of the movie: the music. Every time I show someone this movie for the first time they are shocked by the music. First, there are 16 songs in this entire movie so that means there is a song every five minutes. Also, the transitions are great as they are just talking, and then the music and the lyrics just start up. All the songs are very original with similar lyrics and long choruses. They all end up sounding the same which makes the feel of the movie stay standard. The songs also help heavily convey how the characters feel like the sadness of the brother’s death or a resolution of Charlie’s turmoil. In fact, they may even solve the problems of the film itself. In addition, the actors do a good job of this by lip-syncing a few seconds off from the music and it varies in quality from actual singing to studio production level singing.
So overall, I loved this movie not only for its unique plot, cultural value, and music. This film is one of a kind and you should give it a watch. If you don’t believe me, read this testimony from my friends who I convinced to watch it. One said, “I feel like I am not getting this hour back.” The other one replied, “Well, guess what … you aren’t.”
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