Guitar Lessons

This is a slow moving but sweet and funny film that makes a virtue of its limitations. The budget was clearly small, but the director makes great use of the unknown cast and the stunning scenery of northern Alberta. Conway Kootenay is a standout and steals every scene he is in. The plot may be cliched, but the clever script and stylized direction make it feel fresh. I loved the indigenous characters and the glimpses into their culture added a lot to the story. While there is some drama, it never gets too heavy, and the resolution to the various plot lines is very satisfying. This would be a great date movie.