Blanche

This movie moved me and spoke volumes about how important family and friendships are! The actors did a wonderful job and everything about this movie was wonderful! Definitely a must watch and the music is amazing too! So I recommend this movie to everyone! Twila did an awesome job!

What a perfect premise and beautiful setting for a film! And, yes, all the actors in Blanche are first timers; the movie was apparently shot on a tight timeline; and the budget was razor thin... given all these caveats, Blanche's creators and cast have something they all can, and should, be quite proud of at the end of the day. Now, in respect to all those involved (and the independently curious), I come here to provide a review from the perspective of someone removed from the intrepid West Texas community which inspired, conceived of, and forged this unique, fun tale.

I won't harp too much on the acting other than to say the producer perhaps should've brought in a coaching consultant capable of showing the film's players how to more aptly let go of their in-front-of-camera affects to better embrace their natural spirits. Raw and real West Texans are already "characters" (like anyone else, I suppose), and nearly all of Blanche's actors would shine in a documentary setting where they simply were being themselves. Instead, much of the cast dons a rigidity that probably could've been coached away in relatively short order.

I will say that Clifford Hardwick is able to cut through at times to pull off that natural-feel acting that many of the others can lack. Of the key players, he's often the most effective and deserves recognition here. A few of the ancillary characters can do the same, but their screen time is comparatively brief.

Okay, now to the most problematic-yet most fixable-aspect of Blanche: the editing. I more than once felt a creeping headache start to build during the film's dialogue sequences as the camera cut from face to face while each character delivered lines back and forth during conversation. Let the camera linger more, either on a single actor, even if not speaking, or at a wider angle to include both characters as they exchange lines. These quick cuts likely wouldn't be as sickening when viewed on smaller screens, but in a large-format theater setting, this flaw is magnified to distracting and sometimes painful proportions.

Another place to edit would be the scenes coupled to full-length songs. Just because there's an original score to showcase, that does not mean the film should become a de facto music video at various points merely for purposes of accommodating an entire song from start to finish. Maybe these moments would be less noticeable if this music video quality were less informed by 90's country music aesthetics in which fade split screens, wash-out transitions, and conspicuously forced lament dominate.

In a similar vein, the chicken training montage suffers a comparable fate, where inexplicable repetitions of the same exact shots are interspersed with each other to again perhaps accommodate another full-length song. Not sure how many times we saw that shot of Tommy holding Blanche the chicken up in the air, along with that other where he's stretching her wings, but once to a couple of times would've been more than enough.

Luckily, most of my admittedly nitpicking gripes could be remedied with ease by spending some more time in front of computer editing software. I'd love to see them re-cut Blanche in light of these minor issues and then I would happily plop down for another viewing. This film is worth an extra bit of TLC!

Still, I wholeheartedly commend Blanche for all it accomplishes. As the creator has indicated, everyone said it could not be done, that they were crazy for even attempting a feature film, etc. Well, they certainly proved those naysayers wrong, and in the process, showcased a beautiful section of the country. The stunning aerial shots alone make for a visually captivating aesthetic throughout. West Texas is gorgeous; its people wonderfully warm, and Blanche is a testament to these facts most of all. Well done, folks... again, be proud of your hard work!

Finally, in homage to one of my favorite scenes in Blanche (no spoilers), I have to say, "Move over Marfa!" With the premiere of this film, a more genuine and locally wrought brand of art has arrived in West Texas. So, to that end, I really hope Blanche is just the beginning of an Alpine-grown film tradition that's led more by those who actually have the region's DNA intertwined with their own, rather than the one commanded by a bunch of outsiders in black skinny jeans who've become synonymous with much of the area's creative scene. The time has come... the world is ready... and Blanche is the proof!

Let me start this off by saying, i am frrom Amsterdam(not native 35yrs) who knows almost to nothing about Texas culture and have a very very high standards when it comes to movies. but somehow it kept me watching.

Perhaps it was the simplicity of this movie, the true meaning of friendship they tried to show or just the warmth the people they played them selves.The Dialogues and filming is very simple but still relatable when ppl grow old. two songs they use in this movie are both very nice and already made me download it:) i'd say give it a go and enjoy the effort they put in this movie.

This movie is so enjoyable to watch if 1)You're a Texan, 2) you're over 60, 3) you're an Aggie, 4)you live in the country, or any combination of the above. Not the greatest actors I've ever seen, but they took us along on a fun ride!

You don't have to know Texas to love this story, but if you are a Texan, you'll recognize some of the most endearing things about West Texas. I haven't laughed so much at a movie since I can't remember when. And it's a great story of how friends are there for each other. And you'll learn stuff you never knew about chickens.