Blow the Man Down (2020)

A murder, a brothel, a small town, hard living villagers, and sea shanties. This is the stuff of good story telling. This story of two sisters who get wrapped up in the seedier side of Maine fishing village is smart, funny, dark, compelling and just a damn good movie.

Writers/directors Cole and Krudy have put together a great little mystery filled with fascinating characters (in all definitions of the word) and cast the great character actors Martindale and Squibb along with a truly strong cast to tell this quirky and macabre comedy. There is just something so compelling about oddball small towns and the mischief their residents get up to. And Blow the Man Down is exactly that sort of charming, funny accented story that is so darn charming.

And there is something a little more to this little tale beyond just the eccentric little town mystery. There is a story of female resilience and strength in the face of adversity. This cast is full of strong women characters, each with their own histories and passions and struggles and opportunities. This is the story of women living in a very real world and facing all the challenges that world presents to them.

Blow the Man Down is a strong feature debut by this film making duo, the kind of debut that makes you want to see more from them. And in the case of Martindale, it's another amazing character study in a career filled with them. But her fishing village madame may be one of my favourite of her roles.

Blow the Man Down
Starring: Morgan Saylor, Sophie Lowe, Margo Martindale, June Sqibb, Annette O'Toole, Will Brittain
Writers/Directors: Bridgette Savage Cole, Danielle Krudy