Diagonaldi Very well executed

TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

YouHeart I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

fiddleferme Really a waste of time. Although the performances were more than decent, the pace and direction of this movie lacked suspense. I could guess the killer from the beginning and all the tedious character development not only failed to entertain; but also, added nothing to my enjoyment of the film.The last 10 minutes of dialogue did raise some interesting questions about religion and legality....otherwise....I could have done something much better with my time.I love mystery crime plots. This one, however, fails on all counts. Good performances by actors. I suspect the failure was either in the screenplay or direction. Actually, the plot is not that interesting either.Good movie to put on before you sleep or if you want to do housework...but certainly not a good viewing for mystery lovers.

Ruxskull The standard serial murder mystery elements are all here, from the intruding federal agents to the bewildered local population. The great new approach is from the context of the movie, that being a Mormon community.The victims, investigators, and probably even the murderer are all from the small deeply religious town. How that plays out during the course of the murders makes for a new and excellently entertaining approach to the old mystery formula.The ending may be a let down to some, no final ultra twist, but the film is superior for the journey.

Tim Rollins Richard Dutcher's follow-up to his spectacularly successful indie film GOD'S ARMY was this little gem called BRIGHAM CITY. Dutcher plays small-town sheriff Wes, who finds his little corner of paradise deep in not only a murder mystery, but also in the grip of a serial killer. All of a sudden, this quiet sleepy town is thrust into the national spotlight and bodies start showing up all over the place.Wes is not only the sheriff; he is also the bishop of one of the local wards (congregations) in town, so he is placed in a dual role as both physical protector from a law enforcement standpoint and spiritual leader as well. His young deputy Terry (played by Matthew Brown) helps him out as does an FBI Special Agent (played by Tayva Patch) who flies in from New York to help out on the case.As panic builds within the town and as they try to find who is doing all the killing, everyone is considered suspect. A town that has long lived on faith and trust begins to look at itself and each other in a new light now that the world has invaded on their corner of paradise and left their indelible mark on what for many of them had once been hallowed ground. It's certain that many of them will never look at life the same again.Dutcher does an exceptional job of doing something nobody has dared do before, and that is exploring the dark side of the Mormon psyche, and doing so in a manner that does not denigrate either the Church, its or the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for that, he has my everlasting respect. All of us have our dark sides; if sufficiently provoked, even the most mild-mannered of society's – in or out of the Church – can be provoked or driven to do things that are beyond the pale such as serial killings and the like.BRIGHAM CITY will leave you guessing all the way to the final scene before you realize who the killer is, and the end will leave you satisfied that you have indeed watched a true cinematic masterpiece. Of all the films I have seen that were directed to a primarily LDS-oriented audience, this one disturbed them the most, which tells me this one is BY FAR the best, as most of the Utah-types are still mind warped in the "Happy Valley" mode, and for them, they are better off staying in their own little world. It disturbed them because it hit home, and they did not like that – not in the least – and the fact that it did, had me cheering all the louder for Dutcher.Dutcher's film reminds us to use common sense in conjunction with our faith. I can think of at least THREE preventable tragedies in the last several years out in Utah that could have easily been avoided had more of the "Happy Valley" mindsets used a little street sense hand-in-hand with their faith. Come to think of it, we could all use more of both in our lives.On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this film a 12/10. ***

drew_graham1 Let me start by saying I AM a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I applaud Dutcher's efforts in filmmaking. Brigham City is EASILY one of my Top 10 favorite and most touching films of all time. Far, FAR beyond a murder mystery, this is a film about the truest and purest aspects of the gospel. Richard Dutcher himself has said that the climax of this film is the final scene, the Sacrament meeting, in which his own character, Bishop/Sheriff Wes Clayton realizes that he IS imperfect and needs a Savior just like everyone else in the world (NOT just the church) and as the rest of the town help him to reach this revelation, as opposed to the popular belief that the murderer's identity revealed and the ensuing events are the climax. For me, the murder mystery aspect of this film was INCIDENTAL, it was a vehicle to get the actual meat and message of the film across. Sure, it worked as a murder mystery, but it had a much more profound meaning. Besides the stellar, if not a little less-known, acting and the meaningful story, this film just works in every aspect. Sure, Sheriff Clayton's tactics are a little rusty and even unethical (from a religious OR political standpoint), but its understandable as his character hasn't had to deal with this type of situation before.My worry is that people will watch this movie thinking, "Ugh, another Mormon movie" and discount it just because it shows church ordinances and such, but to those people, I say, "Visitors Welcome!" (as is stated on every LDS church building) These are public things, and Dutcher isn't showing them gratuitously, or even in a lighter mood. He is serious about what he decides to portray and it shows. His portrayal of church ordinances is real and true. I give this film 15/10 and recommend it to ANYONE who has a belief in any higher being and invite them to examine the deeper motivations of its deceptively simple and typical murder mystery plot. I was moved to tears and touched beyond words to finally see a film that portrays what I believe to be the greatest news and purest truth in the world.