O Mestre da Vida

I worked in post on Local Color. I took the job at a greatly reduced fee. I must have cried 10 times watching the rough cut with no music. Afterwards, I felt like telling the producers I would work for free on this one, but, alas, I couldn't afford to do so. This is one of the most moving films I have every seen. Tears of joy come to me every time I even think about or tell some one of this film (and as I write). I am a musician and artist. The ideas of this film resonate so deeply within me that I felt that I could have written it myself. I was told that Armin, after much urging, came out of retirement to do this. Having read the script he said "This is what I've always wanted to say". As for those who posted so negatively on this film, remember, right at the beginning of the film - "You are warned, this is not a story for cynics". Yes, it is sentimental, but the film defends that too. Sentiment and art are what make us human.

A must see film for people who love good true stories about following ones passions, Too bad that big studios are only about big $ and think that the public does not want to see good movies that don't have the shoot um up, kill, action. I believe people do want to watch movies that inspire people to follow their dreams. As a film maker myself I thank George and his Wife for not giving up. If you are lucky enough to have this film come to your town go see it and tell your friends to see it. Note The big studios said that no one wanted to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding, who was wrong about that. Not the public.

Hang in there George.

It has been a long time since I have seen a movie with as much integrity and honesty. As the writer so aptly states in the opening of the movie: this is a movie for romantics not critics.

When I hear someone trash a film or is angry about something the first question I ask is "what are they afraid of?". It IS easy to be cavalier and self serving. It is much more difficult to truly speak from the heart.

The characters are real...the performances excellent. The script is brilliant. There are so many gems...words of wisdom that it is hard to remember them all.

What I like most about this movie is that it is completely unapologetic. It takes courage to let it all hang out.

Perhaps if our culture was more in tune with nature and less about cynicism and ego we would all be better off.

I would highly recommend this movie to everyone.

I just saw this incredible movie at the Sedona Film Festival and met the director, writer and artist, George Gallo, on whose own youth this true story is based. I could not be more enthusiastic in my recommendations for this film, AND it could use support, as he and his wife mortgaged their house to make it. So please see it and if you like it, tell your friends.

As an artist myself, I can well relate to the "death of art" described by the elder mentor in the film, who is discouraged by modern art and its snobbish disregard for the classical artists who passionately seek to capture and share a moment of divine beauty. Even more so, it is a powerful and sensitive human story of the power of love to redeem the tragedies of the past.

Other reviewers have described the plot better than I. My intent is to alert all artists of any media, and those who care about beauty and love to go see and support this film. Gallo said it was very difficult to get it distributed because it lacks sex, violence and destruction, as though that were all we moviegoers want to see. What a parallel to the theme of the movie itself, in which the elder artist laments that too much art is no longer about inspiring us or sharing beauty, but to express the ugliness and violence of the world.

Most of the time when I see a film, I instantly forget about it the minute I walk out the theater door. This movie is different. It's been three weeks now since I've seen "Local Color" and I can't stop thinking about it. There are scenes so poignant that I can still hear the dialogue echoing in my head. There's a scene in particular early on in the film when the old painter looks up to the sky and asks his young protégé, "What color are the clouds? You think that they're white, but look again". Since seeing this film, I too find myself looking around me, analyzing the color and beautiful nuances of life. This film has honestly changed the way I look at things.

Furthermore, this film is very funny. The humor is very human and it takes you by surprise. I laughed out loud a lot. I love this film.