Small Town Wisconsin Reviews

Small Town Wisconsin is a dramedy directed by Niels Mueller, written by Jason Naczek, and stars David Sullivan, Bill Heck, Kristen Johnston, Cooper J. Friedman, and Tanya Fischer. The performances are superb, and the story is expertly nuanced with alternating layers of drama, comedy, and tenderness. It is a story about alcoholism, redemption, and an ode to middle America.Wayne (Sullivan) is a divorced alcoholic father who shares custody of his young son, Tyler (Friedman) with his wife DeDe (Fischer) and her new husband. Wayne has the best of intentions and cares for his son deeply, but his alcoholism gets in the way, putting Tyler in a multitude of dangerous situations. After Wayne loses a custody battle and DeDe decides to move Tyler away to Arizona, Wayne decides to whisk Tyler away for one last weekend of their dreams. These days, viewers are much more likely to go to the theater and watch a movie filled with special effects, a star-studded cast, and moment after moment of edge-of-your-seat action. Small Town Wisconsin is a return to a slower paced, drama-filled movie. While it won't satiate some movie fans' desires, there is never a lull. Sullivan is incredible as Wayne, who is a flawed and lovable main character. Wayne knows what is happening, and he knows he cannot stop it. But while everyone says he is irresponsible (and he does push that boundary), it is apparent-even from the beginning of the film-that he is capable of change, and that gives the audience hope. Will he be able to do what is right? Or will he succumb to his addiction?The antagonist in the film is alcoholism (and Lorraine). The subject is handled with care by Sullivan, Mueller, and Naczek. In cinema, it is often seen in its most violent and volatile form, which works well for dramatics. But Wayne's flavor of alcoholism is multifaceted because of his love for Tyler and his empathy. He knows he is supposed to do the right thing (unlike Lorraine), and he knows what that thing is.Somewhere within the layers of alcoholism and redemption, is also an elegy to small towns and middle-class America. Wayne and Tyler connect over baseball. They travel, not to somewhere in the tropics, but to Milwaukee. There are clear class barriers between the characters in the film and those around them. They don't apologize for who they are, but they are proud of where they come from. To do that in a respectful way is refreshing. Small Town Wisconsin is a poignant movie, full of heart and soul. It is complicated with a cast of characters that are as compelling as they are authentic.