Wonderful character development!

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

When this film appeared there was a genuine mild Oscar buzz around it, particularly it was said because of Peter Fonda's mesmerising performance. I sat and watched Peter and his cast friends. It was maybe the most painful film I'd ever had to watch. Dull. Slow. I'm a sucker for character-rich films that others can find "too wordy". But, this had nothing. There is one excruciating scene where he stands, with a female friend, in his kitchen first pouring then drinking a glass of water. It lasts for seemingly hours with nothing going on. No chat, nothing. The camera dwells upon Fonda in a way that suggests he is a God about to utter an all-important oratory. But, nothing of note spews out. You hope that maybe one of Fonda's hived bees may provide some captivating diversion. But, no. Then I realised whom must have generated all that original buzz.

It's hard for me to watch Ulee's Gold without a couple of big juicy tears welling up ten minutes into the film. That's approximately when Ulee Jackson (Peter Fonda), working in his garage, is drawn into a reluctant conversation with his seven-something granddaughter Penny (Vanessa Zima) about the men in his platoon in Vietnam, none of whom survived. "Those were good guys, Penny." "It's so sad," she says. "You like sad?""No, but sometimes inside it makes you quiet." That scene and this poignant statement by an adorable little girl give you the essence of the movie: the bittersweet, calm dignity of an honest man's living struggle. In fifteen minutes through his interactions with people in town and briefly at home, the extraordinarily ordinary person of Ulysses Jackson is established: He's a beekeeper, pursues the excellence of Tupelo honey, keeps things to himself, has lost his wife, is taking care of his two granddaughters (the teen is difficult), their father is in prison for robbery, their mother abandoned them, Ulee is physically beatup, and his honey harvest is due. Shortly thereafter Ulee gets a call from his son Jimmy (Tom Wood) insisting Ulee must visit him now. Jimmy's wife Helen (Christine Dunford) has told Jimmy's former cohorts in crime, Eddie Flowers (Steven Flynn) and Ferris Dooley (Dewey Weber), that Jimmy hid some money from the heist. They have her jacked up on roofies (Rohypnol), held hostage.Jimmy pleads with Ulee to retrieve Helen for purely family-value reasons. That's the key decision in the movie, because you see Ulee—he deplores Helen for running out on her daughters—weighing all the consequences. He does the hardest thing he's ever done by doing the right thing.In an act of immense courage, with a honey crop to harvest, he travels several more hours the next day to rescue Helen. What happens subsequently bears out his worst fears.Yet through these difficulties the family comes together, Ulee begins to open up to another woman Connie Hope (!) (Patricia Richardson), and each of the Jackson women experience growth or redemption. The scene where Ulee and Connie share tender, illuminating conversation over tea in the kitchen is one of my most memorable moments in cinema. Peter Fonda won a Golden Globe for his performance as Ulee Jackson. The younger actresses got a couple of nominations and awards for lesser known ratings orgs, and Victor Nunez got nods in several independent film venues for director and writer. True to the prizes, Fonda does make the film....For my complete review of this movie and for other movie and book reviews, please visit my site TheCoffeeCoaster.com. Thank you.Brian Wright Copyright 2007

Victor Nunez's film 'Ulee's Gold' is a highly understated thriller centred on a beekeeper troubled by his son's criminal past, whose strengths lie in the absence of violent melodrama. Indeed, if anything, the quiet-spokenness of its characters (even the villains) leaves it open to the charge of romanticising American small-town life; but Ullee's own exceptional reticence is as much a private prison as a sign of strength and decency, and Peter Fonda, in the lead role, brings out both aspects nicely in his performance. Although you'll see more exciting and ambitious movies, the absence of false notes ensure this subtle drama leaves it own mark.

"Ulee's Gold" is an allegorical film about Alchemy, which is itself a metaphor for a process of spiritual development. The medieval alchemists famously attempted to turn lead into gold. As they consciously went through the various steps and stages of refining the metal, they would (theoretically) grow spiritually as their inner development mirrored their outer work. The "Gold" in the title refers to the honey Ulee manufactures, as well as symbolizing his family, himself, and the highest potential of all of the above. This film succeeds on all levels. Unlike most metaphorical or allegorical films, the narrative is matter-of-fact and grounded in reality. Here archetypal themes are spelled out in a modern context that requires no suspension of disbelief. The alchemical motif is repeated throughout, illustrating the different stages of the process. Ulee and his family heal by working together in the alchemical process of honey production.In a larger context, the entire tale, from Ulee's archetypal descent into to the underworld all the way to the love flowing amidst his restored family, is itself an alchemical working. The viewer gets to experience what the process is like - the challenge, growth, healing, and love, just by watching the film. "Ulee's Gold" leaves you feeling good. It's a simple film, not unlike an "ABC Afterschool Special", but superbly crafted and highly satisfying.