The people outside of Whedon who had the most direct impact on the shaping of this film are the cast, with whom he worked closely to get their impressions and ideas for their characters and how best to frame the story.
Not only is Mr. Parson's staging as earthy and right as a 12-bar blues, but Shaun Motley's sad, shabby set and Vincent Olivieri's precisely calculated sound design supply the frame for a winningly fine display of ensemble acting by the entire nine-person cast, led with unimpeachable realism by Mr. Robinson.