Godspeed (2009)
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50% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
19% of users liked it
(289 ratings)
A man learns too well that one shouldn't promise more than he can actually deliver in this independent thriller. Charlie (Joseph McKelheer) lives in Alaska with his wife, Rebecca (Jessica Ward), and young son, James (Ben Loosli). Charlie makes a modest living as a preacher and faith healer, but… More A man learns too well that one shouldn't promise more than he can actually deliver in this independent thriller. Charlie (Joseph McKelheer) lives in Alaska with his wife, Rebecca (Jessica Ward), and young son, James (Ben Loosli). Charlie makes a modest living as a preacher and faith healer, but he's come to question his faith, and tries to dull the pain of doubt with alcohol and affairs with other women. Charlie's life is turned upside down when Rebecca and James are brutally murdered; six months later, he's living in isolation in a trailer in the wilderness, having turned his back on his old life and given up on religion. Charlie receives an unexpected visitor in Sarah (Courtney Halverson), a lovely young woman who tells him her father is severely ill and could use his help. Against his better judgment, Charlie agrees to join Sarah for the long trip back to her family's home, but when they arrive, her brothers, Luke (Cory Knauf) and Tim (Hallock Beals), make it clear they have some unpleasant business with Charlie. Directed by Robert Saitzyk, Godspeed received its world premiere at the 2009 CineVegas Film Festival, where it received a prize for "Exceptional Artistic Achievement." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Saitzyk
- Written By
- Cory Knauf, Robert Saitzyk
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Mar 26, 2010 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 20, 2010
- Studio
- Film Harvest
Critic Reviews
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Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
Despite its fissures in tone and technique, Godspeed occasionally plays like a sturdy indie outpost of revenge cinema.
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Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Opens tentatively but ends confidently with a climax that's bloody enough to jolt but not enough to sicken -- a trick that too many directors have yet to master.
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Lou Lumenick, New York Post
The location -- Sarah Palin's beautiful old stomping ground of Wasilla, Alaska -- is the main attraction in Robert Saitzyk's talky and overwrought melodrama.
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Andrew Grant, Time Out New York
Earnest to a fault, this tale of vengeance and retribution strives for Faulknerian pathos, but never rises above amateur theatrics.
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Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
Saitzyk's sappy pontifications on loss, redemption, and zealotry don't register as headily as they're meant to, and the spirituality invoked feels about as sincere as the Christian who only attends Christmas mass.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Joseph McKelheer
as Charlie Shepard
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Courtney Halverson
as Sarah Roberts
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Cory Knauf
as Luke Roberts
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Hallock Beals
as Tim
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Jessie Ward
as Rebecca Shepard
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Ed Lauter
as Mitch
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Lynn A. Freedman
as Belle
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Ben Loosli
as James Shepard
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Ron Holmstrom
as Oscar
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June Eck
as Lorelei
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Bob Pond
as Lorelei's husband
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Frank Loosli
as James Shepard
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Wendy Young
as Diner Waitress
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Trigg Ramstad
as Davey Iverson
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Jacob Moore
as Kid in Field
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Lauren Worley
as Kid in Field
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Desiree Massi
as Kid in Field
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Simon Johnson
as Kid in Field
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Kaylene Rihtarshich
as Kid in Field
