Buck

 

Story:

Buck Brannaman, inspiration for "The Horse Whisperer," is revealed as a complex figure in this Sundance Audience Award winner for Best Documentary by Cindy Meehl. The master horseman reveals details of his troubled childhood and his dawning awareness of new ways that humans and horses might work with one another. As Buck learns more about horses, he finds that the ways we communicate with our animal companions offer lessons on how we relate to fellow human beings. (NetFlix)

Review:

Cindy Meehl’s Buck is a heartfelt story you want to share with your dad (or son, if you have one). At its core it is the cry of all human hearts who seek a relationship of acceptance.  It’s not a Lifetime channel movie but it’s also not something you pop some popcorn for and just appreciate outside of yourself.  This will impact you – which, I assume, is exactly what Buck Brannaman would want.

For those who may not know (and that should be the vast majority of people), Buck is a horse trainer known for two things: his ability to train horses without harsh punishing treatments and for being the influence for Robert Redford’s The Horse Whisper.  Meehl’s story spends time explaining this fame and audiences will be impressed with his success when the story settles here.  Buck truly is talented as a horse trainer.  You can come in with the highest of expectations for what he can do, and he’ll surpass them.  It’s astounding.

But this isn’t just a film about troubled horses, it’s a story about the troubled humans that own them.  Buck’s personal life is not well known, and for good reason – his childhood was brutal.   This is where Meehl’s documentary shines, because the story is no longer just a biographical look at an engaging man, it’s a reflective piece that will undoubtedly touch those who watch.

Again, this is not a Lifetime movie.  I stress that because, well, it sorta sounds like a Lifetime film, doesn’t it? Let’s just say it’s more like a Western version of Goodwill Hunting (without Robin Williams’ character).  Buck is funny, he’s tough and at times a bit overbearing.  You see his flaws but you root for him and more importantly you learn from him.  Unlike most cowboy-centric men, he’s open.  Ask him about the abuse he faced as a child, he’ll tell you. And while your listening, you’ll start to see the importance of love and respect in every relationship.

Surprisingly, Meehl’s a first time filmmaker and while there are a few bumps along the way, she holds her own surprisingly well- capturing the heart of her subject perfectly.  If anything, the stumbles are the product of a living, breathing subject and audiences won’t lose focus because of them. It truly is a beautiful film worth your time.

Reviewed by Matthew Abshire for Documentary Film Online on February 07, 2012

In Conclusion: