If you live in Philadelphia, where this drama is set, you know the parade in question is the Mummers Parade, where large string bands compete every year for prizes and prestige. Covering the twelve months in between the 2004 and 2005 parades, this somber feature debut by writer-director Tom Quinn looks at a parental breakup from the viewpoint of a musician and his teenage sister. Quinn makes a virtue of a low budget by shooting in a naturalistic style and making good use of South Philly location shooting. The actors, especially leads Greg Lyons and Jennifer-Lynn Welsh, match the low-key vibe. What the movie lacks in terms of fancy plotting it makes up for in authenticity and empathy for the characters, and although the fact that the father and son are members of a string band is not the only focus, it provides an element of novelty.
IMDB link
viewed at Ritz Bourse and reviewed 11/5/09
Thanks for the plug, Adam!
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