Things That Hang From Trees

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21%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 240

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Movie Info

Things that Hang from Trees constitutes American director Ido Mizrahy's debut feature. As adapted by singer-songwriter Aaron Louis Tordini from his own novella, this defiantly eccentric drama unfolds on a surreal, southern gothic landscape. Eight-year-old Tommy, incorrectly read as mentally-impaired by many of the local townspeople, lives alone with his skanky mother (Deborah Kara Unger), a sex shop owner. This emotionally troubled child also struggles with painful memories of his abusive, estranged father (Ray McKinnon) - whose mistreatment he recreates in a self-flagellating manner by systematically subjecting himself to the sadism of the local bully (Ryan Parker). While the town barber (Daniel von Bargen) - a psychotic religious nut - obsesses over Tommy's mother, Tommy fantasizes about watching the town fireworks from atop the local lighthouse. The boy finally realizes this dream, but when he descends, he happens upon a shocking discovery that changes his world forever by bringing a permanent end to his childhood innocence.

Rating:

R
Genre:

Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Ido Mizrahy
Written By:

Aaron Louis Tordini
On Disc/Streaming:

Nov 13, 2007
Runtime:

97 minutes

Cast

Marco St. John
as Sheriff Hank Bullard

Marylouise Burke
as Joan Kayser

Peter Gerety
as Ump

Laila Robins
as Miss Millie

Yul Vázquez
as Juan Lopez

Daniel von Bargen
as George Burgess

Jayne Houdyshell

Ryan J. Parker
as Bear Hadley

Cooper Musgrove
as Tommy Wheeler

Gail Borges
as Mazziati Mother

Deborah Kara Unger
as Connie Mae Wheeler

Anthony Del Rio

Ray McKinnon
as Tom Wheeler Sr.

Jason Antoon
as Bobby Mecklem

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Critic Reviews for Things That Hang From Trees

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (2) | Rotten (4)

A half-baked piece of Southern Gothic, Ido Mizrahy's debut film wears its influences a little too closely on its sleeve.

May 2, 2006

Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic
[A] stilted, somewhat pretentious Southern Gothic tale.

Mar 29, 2006 | Full Review…

Ronnie Scheib
Variety
Top Critic
The causality here is somewhat thin -- any time one story really gets cooking, we're jettisoned to another -- but the ensemble cast does good work, and the location becomes a character unto itself.

Mar 23, 2006 | Full Review…

Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
Offers a slice of special education-tinged Southern Gothic minus the evocative eccentricity.

Mar 22, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Nick Schager
Slant Magazine

View All Critic Reviews (4)

Audience Reviews for Things That Hang From Trees

Dec 08, 2011

I decided to give this film a chance, because it really is an intriguing story. Set in 1969, in a small town in Florida. An alcoholic father has abandoned his wife and child. The child is slow and has all kinds of problems, so the mother is forced to open up a business. In 1969 what kind of business does every small southern town need? You guessed it, a sex shop! It's a different plot and seemed like it would be a very interesting story, but looks can be deceiving. They hire writers to make the "official" description of the movie, so it sound great and you'll go see it, and in this case they got me. This has got to be one of the slowest and most pointless movies I have ever seen. Everyone is portrayed as stupid, the film is choppy and makes no sense, and on top of that it's just a total bore! They fooled me, don't let them fool you! Avoid this one!

Todd S Super Reviewer