Guitar Lessons movie storyline. There’s remarkably little in the way of guitar playing in Guitar Lessons, a new film from Alberta writer/director Aaron James. Life Lessons might have been a more on-the-nose title, given that the movie ends with a touching scene of a character being advised how to quit his addictions, and another of a young man receiving some blunt romantic guidance from an older father-figure.
Those two are Leland and Ray, played by Kaden Noskiye and singer-songwriter/actor Corb Lund. When a young Métis boy inherits a guitar from the father he never knew, he seeks out local legend Ray (at a Tim Hortons no less!) to teach him how to play. Ray, who now works in the oilfields, is a curmudgeonly sort with no interest in being an instructor.
Of course that’s going to change, but just because we know where this train is going doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the scenery along the way. Much of that comes from First Nations actor and comedian Conway Kootenay, who speaks Cree, describes himself as “racially fluid,” and delivers such philosophical nuggets as: “You moniyâws, you have all the watches, but us Indians, we have all the time.”
The tone of the film is a little inconsistent, with characters disappearing for stretches of time, and new ones arriving late in the game with little in the way of introduction. Word is Guitar Lessons was originally meant to be a TV series, which might explain some of that choppiness. But its episodic nature isn’t enough to derail the film’s charm, which consistently shines through and carries it over any rough transitions. Every good song needs a strong bridge.
Directed by: Aaron James
Starring: Roseanne Supernault, Marie Zydek, Corb Lund, Aaron James, Conway Kootenay, Kat Winter, Kirsten Lankester, Lianna Makuch, Anika Gramson, William Auger, Kaden Noskiye, Sydney Blanchette
Screenplay by: Aaron James
Production Design by: Sydni McCue
Film Editing by: Mason McConnell
Set Decoration by: Jared Snyder
Makeup Department: Taylor Gladue
Music by: Geoffrey Burch
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Extra Butter Pictures
Release Date: September 23, 2022
Views: 38
