Get Low

Robert Duvall stars as Felix Bush, a mysterious 1930s hermit who, to the surprise of the town that has learned to fear him, decides to buy himself a funeral. The twist: Felix wants to have the funeral while he’s still alive. It’s one of the year’s finer pleasures to watch Duvall trade lines with Bill Murray, who plays the owner of a struggling funeral home who is more than happy to take Felix’s strange request. Lucas Black is excellent as Murray’s virtuous assistant, as is Sissy Spacek as a woman who knew Felix before he disappeared into his cabin in the woods. This is some of Duvall’s best work in years; it’s hard to imagine another actor pulling off this role. It’s an interesting story about self forgiveness and redemption, with a good sense of humor thanks to the presence of Murray.