A micro-indie with a huge heart, ‘Burt’ tells a slender, stirring story of belated connection

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We often hear that short stories make great movies – the idea being that a concise story can be expanded for the big screen. However, the opposite can also happen: some films actually benefit from feeling small and focused, like a beautifully written short story that packs a lot of emotion, detail, and charm into a limited space, leaving you with a warm feeling.

Joe Burke’s black-and-white indie film, “Burt,” tells the story of a brief connection between a young man from New York and an older street musician in Los Angeles. Made on a very small budget – about the cost of a used car – the film feels genuine and unpretentious. It’s like a little burst of bittersweetness – a small, refreshing treat that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Unlike some low-budget films that feel forced or overly ambitious, “Burt” is simply a charming and honest piece of work.

The film “Burt” features Burt Berger playing a version of himself – a 69-year-old singer-songwriter reminiscent of the 1960s folk scene. We first meet him performing to a small crowd in a coffeehouse, singing about freedom with a voice that reflects a life fully lived. A young man named Sammy (played by co-writer Oliver Cooper) watches him intently and then asks to speak with Burt. Over a simple picnic, Sammy reveals a surprising truth: he’s Burt’s long-lost son. It’s a direct and refreshing approach to the story, getting straight to the central conflict.

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I’m a big fan of Joe Burke and Oliver Cooper – they consistently create really compelling, low-budget independent films. Their latest, called ‘Burt,’ is still looking for distribution, but even without a big studio behind it, it’s clear it’s a film made with a lot of passion and genuine feeling.

Burt is delighted by the news and immediately invites Sammy to spend the night at his small house in North Hollywood, which he shares with Steve, his landlord. Steve is a peculiar, rule-following man with a wild beard, a new vegetable garden, and, as he makes sure Sammy knows, a gun. Sammy is also wary of Steve, but he’s determined to get to know Burt, and there’s a growing sense of importance – and a touch of dark humor – to their meeting that quickly becomes clear.

I really got drawn into the relationships between all the quirky characters in “Burt,” more than any big story. The director, Burke, clearly loves showing how these people interact, and it’s genuinely funny to watch. There’s a lot of tension, like when Sammy tries to deal with Steve’s strange behavior, or during these hilarious phone calls with Burt’s aunt – she lives in a trailer, is always behind on rent, but apparently makes amazing soup! What I especially loved was how quickly Burt embraced being a dad. He immediately started using all these classic dad phrases like “No son of mine is…” and enthusiastically declaring, “That’s my boy!” It was just so endearing and funny to watch.

It’s hard for a typical moviegoer to tell how much of “Burt” is based on real events versus made up, especially since it feels like a homemade project. (The director, Levy, might benefit from getting an agent!) While the film doesn’t get overly emotional, it maintains a hopeful tone – even with its somewhat raw jazz soundtrack and slightly uneven editing – suggesting it won’t dismiss the emotions it evokes. Berger, who the film is based on, is particularly charming and easy to support, making him a perfect focal point for a feel-good story about appreciating life by letting go of your worries and embracing the unexpected.

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2025-12-13 06:01