Hudson movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Hudson

Hudson is releasing on Amazon, Apple TV, and On-Demand on September 21st.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 15 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

1091 Pictures is releasing the feature film HUDSON on September 21st, a road trip dramedy darling from Award-winning writer/director Sean Daniel Cunningham. It stars David Neal Levin (‘Escape At Dannemora’, ‘Homeland’, ‘Billions’,) Gregory Lay (The Adjustment Bureau, Blue Bloods) and Mary Catherine Greenawalt (Kat Loves LA).

Synopsis: After learning about his mother’s death, Hudson, a reclusive but charming man, embarks on a journey with his distant cousin to scatter his mother’s ashes in the Hudson Valley. Along the way, they meet an unusual hitchhiker and their simple road trip turns into a dysfunctional adventure of self-discovery, mini-golf, and a broken Volvo.

THINGS I LIKED:

Indie movies are known for their quirky, endearing characters and this movie doesn’t disappoint in that regard. It has made the rounds at quite a few film festivals. earning fans along the way.
David Neal Levin has a certain, loveable Zack Galifianakis style that makes him immediately endearing.
Gregory Lay’s character appears to have it all together but you appreciate him, even more, when you slowly learn that’s not true. He also co-wrote the film with director Sean Daniel Cunningham!
Mary Catherine Greenawalt provides a much-needed buffer between the two cousins and offers a whimsical freshness to the scenes. I’ve never seen her in anything before, but I’d like to see more.
Lovely cinematography as we travel through Upstate New York in the fall.
I love how the movie focuses on the simple pleasures of life in its easy-breezy journey.
For an Indie film, this looks and feels like a much bigger movie that should be in theaters.
Lovely soundtrack.
The film is shot really well. Simple. Understated.
There is a lot of stumbling in the movie…actual stumbling. It could be meant as a deep symbol of where these characters are in their lives or simply as a whimsical gag that causes us to giggle inside just a little.
Director Cunningham was inspired by John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club and explained, “We wanted to do a throwback 90s style movie where it’s feel-good. It doesn’t get out of the light area, so anyone can watch it. Greenawalt agreed and added, “It’s true to life. There’s a gentleness to it. a sweetness to it.”
There is a childlike quality to the movie, which perfectly matches the theme of these two cousins coming together to reminisce their own childhood, as well as how they relate to each other in terms of jealousy, competition, and judging one another.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some viewers might complain that nothing “happens” in the story. You have to remember that the plot IS simple, but the characters are much more complex and worth exploring. Not everyone will enjoy that kind of movie.
There are a few wobbly-cam moments that only accomplished to make me dizzy and annoyed.
Just embrace the awkward moments!

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

“Light” profanity
Kids will be bored.

THEMES:

Family
Death and mourning
Friendship and support
Reliving the past
Uncertainty of the future
Jealousy
It’s the journey that truly matters, not the destination.

FUNNY LINES:

“What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened in this corn maze?” – Ryan (Gregory Lay) “I’m legally not allowed to tell you that.” – apple cider guy
“Try not to run away from stuff that isn’t there.” – Jerry (Richard Masur)
“I hope you like food.” – Hudson (David Neal Levin)