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A Rubberband Is an Unlikely Instrument

Play trailer Poster for A Rubberband Is an Unlikely Instrument 2010 2h 15m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Walter Baker, a multi-instrumentalist, struggles to maintain a balance between creating art and making ends meet.
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A Rubberband Is an Unlikely Instrument

Critics Reviews

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Jeannette Catsoulis New York Times Gliding from intimate to surreal, from aurally disjunctive to visually seductive, "Rubberband" is a languorous ballad of sadness and disappointment. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 7, 2013 Full Review Diego Semerene Slant Magazine It's as though the director, like his subjects, was too comfortable in the safe familiarity of the surface to find the place where it betrays us. Rated: 2/4 Feb 6, 2013 Full Review Nick Schager Village Voice Without any engaging small-scale human drama or larger social or culture-clash import, the film comes across as trivial, and too often also indulgent and pretentious. Feb 5, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member For me, the most important role of the documentary filmmaker is find a way to earn the trust of his subject and capture what naturally happens and what is said. The real challenge is for the filmmaker to form a narrative that gains insight not only into the subjects being filmed, but most importantly to create a narrative that the actions/statements of the subjects reflect the world and time in which they are being film. Errol Morris' earliest work was magical in the way he did this. Matt Boyd's film is fascinating on so many levels. The main focus is on the eccentric musician struggling with family responsibilities, the looming financial crisis, the gentrification of Brooklyn, finding peace with his parents --- and trying to figure out his voice as an artist in a culture that seems to no longer be interest in his art. At times sad, funny, quirky and always revealing. Boyd's use of Walter Baker's oddly lovely music is exceptionally blended in throughout the entire film. Nothing ever feels forced/staged. Filmed over a period of 4 years, we get an often uncomfortable but fascinating intimate glimpse into the life of an artist and his wife. We also not only sense but quite literally see how their surroundings impact their lives. But the crucial key here is the overall cultural commentary that the movie brings forward. Some audiences might be put off by the pacing, but this is a slow-burn to amazing rewards. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Rubberband Is an Unlikely Instrument

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Walter Baker, a multi-instrumentalist, struggles to maintain a balance between creating art and making ends meet.
Director
Matt Boyd
Producer
Brooke Bernard, Jason Ross, Ryan Zacarias
Production Co
Nomadic Independence Pictures
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 9, 2013
Runtime
2h 15m
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