Cast
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Dave Payton
as Bill Childers
Zeb Slone
as Churchgoer (uncredited)
Eleanor Brown
as Lola Mae Tyson
Cory Kays
as Officer Ned Pearson
Adam Dufour
as Burl Axsom
David Ross
as The Hobo
Angela Duggins
as Genevieve Axsom
Michael J. Patterson
as Ernie Tyson
Daniel Main
as Randall Cunningham
Rachel Casey
as Peggy Wheeler
Pete Law
as Estel the Storekeeper
John Wisley
as Gunther Haltzbog
Jacob Dufour
as Harlan
C.J. Swift
as Casey
Jackie Davis
as Marge Childers
Crew
Director
- Jacob Dufour
- Adam Dufour
Writer
- Jacob Dufour
- Adam Dufour
Producer
- Adam Dufour
- Jacob Dufour
- Daniel Cleghorn
Reviews
Wuchak
**_The challenge of life “under the sun” in the rural Midwest_**
In the Ohio River region of southern Indiana, three people’s lives intersect after the death of a hypocritical pastor: A hardworking logger from a struggling family, a Department of Natural Resources officer looking for more action and a grieving widow.
"Timbertown" (2019) is a psychological crime drama Indie reminiscent of the tone of “Winter’s Bone” (2010), albeit not as dismal due to its inherent spirituality linked to the book of Ecclesiastes. There are even flashes of low-key humor. Similar flicks include "The River King" (2005), "Snow Angels" (2007), "Frozen River" (2008), "The Drowning" (2016) and, in some ways, "Rust Creek" (2018).
Such movies deal with the mundaneness of life in rural areas of the Midwest or Eastern America with usually a crime element; but they all depict the tedium of everyday life and the testing of character in one hardship or another. I point this out because some viewers might not appreciate the realistic, even tedious portrayal of everyday life.
This one’s refreshing because, while it honestly illustrates the challenges of life that we can all relate to—providing for your family, seeking respect or love, the pursuit of meaning, grief, the burden of guilt and need for redemption—it never descends into unrelenting bleakness, like “Winter’s Bone” and bits of “Snow Angels.”
There’s an artistic flashback sequence in the second half that’s done to classical music with no dialogue whatsoever. Although it’s arguably overlong, it’s well done and I didn’t have a problem with it. The sequence is creative and smacks of originality, but I couldn’t help think of bits in “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Watchmen,” although in those movies the sequences aren’t flashbacks and they’re shorter.
The film runs 1 hours, 30 minutes, and was shot in southern Indiana not too far from the Ohio River and, specifically, Washington County (which is a 20-25 minute drive from Louisville, Kentucky, to the southeast).
GRADE: A-/B+
Feb 13, 2023
Thematic Analysis
Timbertown represents a fascinating example of cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Jacob Dufour brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2019, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Timbertown took approximately 23 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 90 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 127 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2292 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 341 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2019, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: November 9, 2019
- Runtime: 1h 30m
Where to Watch
