If someone like Carrie Rossow Boberg or Jason Page were the brains behind this proposed movie, I'd be much more receptive, because I've seen their work and they actually live here, so they don't have this patronizing and condescending attitude that Duluth "is horrible," and that the filmmaker is making this huge sacrifice, leaving Stockton, Ca. for Duluth in February, in pursuit of his "art." Plus, they'd brilliantly incorporate the landscape into their movie, like they did with "The Life of Riley."

Mr. Gargiulo, I have the feeling that you -- like many of the Californians I grew up with who still live there-- have probably never visited the Midwest for any period of time, except to change planes in Chicago or Minneapolis. Please do visit Duluth in February. And be prepared to have all of your preconceptions about how "horrible" it is here and what yokels we are blown to smithereens. It's cold here, yes, but I would never call this landscape "bleak."

I suggest, if you want to save on travel and on a new wardrobe, and you want to film a movie about lonely people searching for connections in a bleak landscape, you might want to consider filming in Salinas. I've never been to a more desolate place in my life -- and the fact that the city almost closed its libraries a few years ago merely strengthened my belief that Salinas is horrible. And, being a Californian, you wouldn't be such a fish out of water there.

Salinas Sucks would be a great title for a movie. I do like Hibbing is Horrible, though, Brian.

OK, this is weird... but this morning, on the Today Show, during the weather segment when they select one city and randomly anywhere in the USA -- today's selected city was SALINAS, CALIFORNIA. It was 56 degrees. What even are the odds? Now I am convinced that someone should make a film called Salinas Sucks! It just might be me. 

Maybe Mr. Gargiulo should make a series of films based on the theme of bleakness and abandonment and loneliness and film them around the country. That'd be cool.

I just hope this guy does a better job than the "Hollywood director" who was behind the film meant to entice Google to Duluth, but kind of made Duluth look like an icky place to live.

Oh, god, you are right, Bad Cat. Sorry!

I think not taking personally criticism of one's work that is for public consumption is what divides the professionals from the the dilettantes. 

I just hope we all get to see Duluth is Horrible!

We should have a big welcome party for Vincent when he comes to town -- and the California expatriates can give him advice on how best to acclimate to Duluth.