Reviews of Barns of the Midwest 4

• 
  Barn Burner
  A review of Barns of the Midwest
  by David Muhlfelder on 03/18/2005
  This is going to be a short review, because I liked just about everything in this script. It's funny and quirky, everything an intimate story should be. The characters and dialogue are excellent. Bob and Joel have a nice easy rapport. Their rivalry with LaRue and Schwartzchi is hilarious. They also have a clear goal, but it's their quest to achieve it that makes this story... This is going to be a short review, because I liked just about everything in this script. It's funny and quirky, everything an intimate story should be. The characters and dialogue are excellent. Bob and Joel have a nice easy rapport. Their rivalry with LaRue and Schwartzchi is hilarious. They also have a clear goal, but it's their quest to achieve it that makes this story special. It's a constant reminder of the joy of the process over the result. I loved Suzanne's introduction. It established her place in the story from the get go. I was a bit confused in two spots. Bob and Joel's reaction to Duke and his crew intruding on their domain could use a little clarification. I assume Bob's attacking Duke was motivated by the disruption he was causing, but it could be clearer. The revelation about Jason, and LaRue's reaction also seemed a bit abrupt. But quibbles aside, this was a charming tale of dreams pursued and realized. Great job. read
• 
  Barns
  A review of Barns of the Midwest
  by ChristianGabriel on 03/18/2005
  I personally liked the table top book concept very much, but I was raised in the country and like poetry. I'm not sure the average person could get into the script, as is. I thought it moved very slowly. It wasn't really funny enough to be a comedy or romantic enough to be a romance or dramatic enough to be a drama. But, could tranform into any of the three with tweaking and... I personally liked the table top book concept very much, but I was raised in the country and like poetry. I'm not sure the average person could get into the script, as is. I thought it moved very slowly. It wasn't really funny enough to be a comedy or romantic enough to be a romance or dramatic enough to be a drama. But, could tranform into any of the three with tweaking and focusing on a genre.
  
  I thought two much of the script was centered around the actual project, too much time at the barns and discussing the projects. The only character that I felt I really knew was Joel. The others neded to be fleshed out a little more.
  
  When i say too much was centered around the barns and book. I mean they take up too much focus, which could be centered on developing the characters, romances or the comedy. For instance, 'Bridges of Madison County' is similar in concept but the bridges are secondary to the love story and characters.
  
  Joel, the dead baby guys and April could be given more comedy as they are all ready quirky and fun.
  
  Another idea could be to focus on the getting published aspect instead of the actual poetry and photos. Maybe Bob and Joel could seem more desperate about getting published, trying every angle and trick to get reccognized, but their plans always end in disaster. The more they fail the more outlandish the plans become. The dead baby guys could make very funny nemisis, driven by jealousy, feeling their glory was being sapped by the other coffee-table writers.
  
  I think the script would be more marketable as an Indie type comedy, like Napolian Dynamite. Than it is now. I notuced it was called a comedy documentory but I don't
  see much documentory in it.
  
  I think the script and concept both have potential and hope my review has helped. read
• 
  BARNS
  A review of Barns of the Midwest
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 03/18/2005
  Well, this was not a barn burner, sorry couldn't resist, but it was entertaining. And being from Wisconsin and a huge fan of the barn sprinkled about the landscape I could resist. I enjoyed the premise of two opposites like Joel and Bob trying to make a film together, it happens and it provided for a lot of fun. I think the story needs more drama to give relief to the constant... Well, this was not a barn burner, sorry couldn't resist, but it was entertaining. And being from Wisconsin and a huge fan of the barn sprinkled about the landscape I could resist.
  
  I enjoyed the premise of two opposites like Joel and Bob trying to make a film together, it happens and it provided for a lot of fun. I think the story needs more drama to give relief to the constant banter. Suzzane did not feel like a real female character to me.
  
  Your note about the inclusion of a title sequence made me laugh but it took me out of the story. Try losing that. This is a comedy about a documentary so take the documentary note off your page.
  
  Solid production values would make this a good indie prospect once you increase the story tension.
  
  Good luck. read
• 
  Good potential...
  A review of Barns of the Midwest
  by Jbolander on 03/16/2005
  ...for a small, indie flick. Actually, may only work as an indie, as the story/plot may struggle to find a mainstream audience. Kind of like Sideways in "barn country" rather than "wine country." Most of the characters serve the story well. The biggest problem currently is with the two main characters: Bob and Joel. They lack distinction, neither really having voices of... ...for a small, indie flick. Actually, may only work as an indie, as the story/plot may struggle to find a mainstream audience. Kind of like Sideways in "barn country" rather than "wine country."
  
  Most of the characters serve the story well. The biggest problem currently is with the two main characters: Bob and Joel. They lack distinction, neither really having voices of their own. To use Sideways as an example: those two characters worked well because 1. there's a definite main character with the other supporting 2. they were very different characters, totally distinguishable by both actions and dialogue. Bob and Joel seem too interchangeable right now, and sound almost exactly the same.
  
  Another problem with Bob and Joel right now: they seem to have no story arc, no motivation, and don't really experience much change. Suzanne asks them what they do and we get "I'm independantly wealthy" and "i'm paying off loans." They just kind of float along through the story without much real meaning, purpose. WHY do they really want to complete this book? Why are they doing it in the first place? There's no real passion here, which makes it difficult to really care about them.
  
  Overall, a very quick and easy read, that just seems to totally lack the things that could make this an interesting film that one could really care about. As is, there's not enough "yuks" and "jokes" to make this a strong comedy, and not enough motivation/passion to make this a strong drama. Give Bob and Joel their own voices, make them their own characters, and give them passion/desire/motivation and you could have a good indie movie here. read