Robert Duvall plays lead in ‘Get Low’

Movie: "Get Low"

When: Opening Friday at Village Square

Cast: Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, Lucas Black

Director: Aaron Schneider

The story: In 1930s Tennessee, a mysterious hermit decides to give himself a rollicking funeral party -- complete with music and a raffle -- while he's still alive.

The buzz: Based on one of those stranger-than-fiction stories that seem more legendary than real, this drama gives the venerable Duvall -- who at 79 has recently been relegated to supporting roles in such indies as "Crazy Heart" and "The Road" -- a rare chance at a leading role. Lest we forget, Duvall's first great movie performance was in a supporting role: Boo Radley in 1962's "To Kill a Mockingbird." In contrast to such veteran stars as Duvall, Spacek and Murray, director Schneider is making his feature debut, but he's hardly a beginner -- he's already an Oscar-winner, having collected one in 2004 for the live-action short "Two Soldiers," based on a William Faulkner story.