Review of Tumbleweeds

There are some character studies about simple people who live simple lives, yet you just sit there captivated, engaged, anxious to see what happens next. "Tumbleweeds" is one of those films. It moves along on the simple energy of these two offbeat characters Angela (Janet McTeer) and Ava (Kimberly Brown). The vivid characters are fueled by engaging performances by English actress McTeer (who pulled off a Southern accent with flying colors) and newcomer Brown (who's so adorable and resembles a young Mena Suvari). They live bumpy lives. The mother can't keep a stable job, nor a stable husband, and the daughter has to deal with the agony of watching her get dumped by one lousy guy after another. She never gets the chance to have a father figure in her life, and her free-spirited mother is the only one to give her any guidance. The main characters are flawed but extremely likable, and director O'Connor (who also plays one of Angela's beer-guzzling boyfriends) paints us an interesting portrait, bringing us on a wild ride through this Tennessee mother/daughter team's nomadic lifestyle.

The supporting cast is superb as well. Aforementioned O'Connor is great as the sleazy boyfriend. Michael J. Pollard is also appropriately sleazy as her boss. Of course, Pollard has that naturally sleazy quality about him, and he doesn't really need to try. The film is hilarious, yet moving. It's a vivid character study that will keep you laughing and thinking alike, and I feel it's really a priceless piece of work, composed of unknown actors and a low budget. Eat your heart out, "Pearl Harbor"!

My score: 9 (out of 10)