Soda Springs (2012)

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Soda Springs is the town that Jason Pickett hails from, but some people just aren't happy to see him return after a stretch in prison for vehicular homicide. That includes law enforcement and it includes the husband of his ex-wife who divorced him while he was in the joint.But when this would be country singer whose career was sidelined by the tragedy comes into Victoria Pratt's store it's love at first sight. Turns out the ex-wife's husband was worrying unnecessarily.Soda Springs has a nice story, but the film moves at such snail's pace you will get inpatient for the end. Not the best Hallmark romance out there though there is a nice country music score for the film.

This movie makes no sense until the last ten minutes. Then it becomes apparent Eden took a fall to protect the two tiny children of the woman who was behind the wheel. Her grandfather(?) knew he was getting out of prison, didn't just appear with horses. This same elder just happens to be there again when he gets out of jail, in front of the Masonic temple. The movie theme is about keeping secrets, when to tell the absolute truth would destroy two innocent children's lives. Look for Masonic symbols, you may see them, especially around the Sheriff. The movie Tombstone comes to mind as another Masonic movie, but without the obvious message Soda Springs tells so well, of a fundamentally decent man who sacrifices a good part of his life to protect women and children.

I originally ordered this movie just to see an old classmate (Jay Pickett) act - boy did I get a surprise! I also expected to be drawn into the familiar scenery of where we grew up, but instead was drawn into the storyline so far that I forgot to watch the scenery! The storyline of redemption is one that is done frequently, but those of us that grew up in small towns and on farms know that it works differently there. The story is well-told and well paced, with beautiful Idaho scenery in the background. It truly deserves and has earned all of the film awards that it has gotten - and many more! It is a wonderful family story, and I will be sure that my 12 yr old and 7 yr old watch it.

Soda Springs is a movie I will want to watch many times. I'm always a Tom Skerrit fan, but I saw many more nuances in his role in this film than ever before. Jay Pickett was only vaguely familiar to me, but I will definitely be looking for him in more films. Initially I wanted to see the movie to enjoy glimpses of familiar Idaho scenes, but the sincerity and increasing depth of the drama captivated my imagination and leaves me wanting to watch this movie again and again.The theme I took from the movie was the work and patience required in rebuilding a life - work wasn't enough, patience alone wasn't enough - and everyone concerned had to contribute their own work and patience. How do you make work and patience and more work and patience exciting to an audience? It took a lot of skill and courage on the part of everyone who made this film! Through unexpected characters and careful pacing I sensed and then shared the frustration of the main character as he had to wrestle his life and reputation from the backbiters in his hometown.The casting was well done and the locations were wonderful. I had expected to be pulled out of the story as I recognized familiar places, but instead that just added to the connection I felt with the characters. I still want my husband to watch Soda Springs so he can tell me if that pick-up Pickett drives is the same make as one we see around New Plymouth. It all felt so real to me that I can still feel the dust of the baseball diamond, squint into the bright sunlight and smell the inside of the feed store.That feeling of connection is part of the reason Soda Springs lingers in my mind so long after watching it. It is also the reason I'm not at all surprised to hear of the awards this movie is attracting.