Rudderless is a pretty good character study about grief and guilt and how it can flip those left behind upside down.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 11, 2020

The story is so heartbreakingly compelling, "Rudderless" sails beyond a sightseeing excursion and into great filmmaking.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 15, 2018

It contains the seed of a much better film that is left unexplored. [Full review in Portuguese.]

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 19, 2016

A lot of the emotional communication comes through in the music, especially when Sam cannot confront his own feelings, reminding us why we make music in the first place.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 2, 2016

Shock can lead to awe, but in the case of Rudderless, shock leads to "ahhh, they blew it."

| Original Score: D | Jan 9, 2015

Skillfully directed by William H. Macy, "Rudderless" is one of those small independent films that it's a privilege to discover

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 8, 2014

The picture is performance-driven, without a wandering eye, to the extent that you can't help but feel moved every time Billy Crudup's Sam busts out his guitar.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 10, 2014

Touching drama about father remembering lost son with music.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 31, 2014

Even though the screenplay strains credibility at times, and the music really isn't that great, the thoughtful premise is handled with sensitivity instead of crassness.

| Oct 31, 2014

Rudderless is a heartwarming, sobering and surprisingly fun movie with great performances and even greater music. While certain aspects of the story don't vibe with the overall tone, the characters and the songs they play tend to override narrative flaws.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Oct 22, 2014

RUDDERLESS offers great music and two charismatic leads, yet the story tends to feel a little out of tune.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Oct 18, 2014

William H. Macy's directorial debut is a smash!...interesting story, good music (performed by Billy Crudup and Anton Yelchin themselves), challenging and touching...

| Original Score: 9/10 | Oct 17, 2014

The script and characters would have benefited from more depth and dramatic layers, and some of the scenes look like add-on moments, not part of a cohesive whole.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Oct 17, 2014

...there are many things about Rudderless that do work in smaller sections.

| Original Score: B- | Oct 17, 2014

"Rudderless" is a film about how much - and how little - you can know someone through their art, and the film itself feels like an extension of the scruffy but sincere characters Macy has been playing for decades.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 17, 2014

It would seem cynical - the perfect Sundance movie, at which festival it premiered - if it wasn't also nakedly earnest. It's almost likable despite trying hard to be so, and despite trying so hard in general.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 17, 2014

Contrived or not, the story is put across with pleasing, unpretentious conviction and skill by Macy.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 17, 2014

Rudderless is humane and almost entertaining.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 17, 2014

Two solid talents - actor Billy Crudup and actor-turned-director William H. Macy - have both thrived in theatre and been frequently seen in indie films. They give Rudderless some heft and polish, but the material rings too familiar.

| Oct 17, 2014

The film is a roller-coaster of emotions and the jolt, when it comes, will send you reeling.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 16, 2014