Name: Retro Film Review: Ulee's Gold (1997)
Item: Ulee's Gold
Rating: 79
Author: @drax

(source:tmdb.org)

(SPECIAL NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here

One of the least appreciated purposes of films is their ability to record past. Without film younger generations could hardly imagine the world in which their fathers and grandfathers lived. And even those fathers and grandfathers can find useful purpose in today's films – some of them show how the world has changed. One of good examples of that change being recorded is Ulee's Gold, 1997 crime drama written and directed by Victor Nunez.

Protagonist of the film is Ulysses "Ulee" Jackson (played by Peter Fonda), beekeeper and former Vietnam War veteran who lives in small Florida town and tries to have as little contact with outside world as possible. Reason for that is same reason because of which he teaches his two granddaughters Penny (played by Vanessa Zima) and Casey (played by Jessica Biel) never to trust strangers. Ulee learned the hard way that he couldn't rely on anyone - his own son Jimmy (played by Tom Wood) is serving prison sentence for armed robbery while his daughter-in-law Helen (played by Christine Dunford) is nowhere to be seen, preferring partying and drugs to taking care of her daughters. Helen is the reason why Ulee has to get out of his emotional cocoon – she was taken by Eddie Flowers (played by Steven Flynn) and Ferris Dooley (played by Dewey Webber), two of Tom's crime partners. Eddie and Ferris have learned about Tom's loot being stashed away and they threaten to kill Ulee and his family unless Jacksons deliver the money. Ulee drags Helen to his house, which causes a lot of resentment among her daughters. Because of her drug habit, Helen is so difficult that Ulee has to swallow his pride and ask Connie (played by Patricia Richardson), his neighbour and register nurse, to help him deal with situation.

Ulee's Gold shows how the world changed since 1980s. In Reagan's decade plot about Vietnam War veteran having to defend his family from thugs would look like Ramboesque fantasy. But this film is not only made a decade later, when Vietnam veterans weren't that convincing in the roles of macho supermen. Its director Victor Nunez used crime plot only as an excuse for slow and effective character study. The protagonist is quiet and unassuming little man for whom the war was more of a psychological trauma than empowering martial experience. The only things that give Ulee an advantage over his enemies are the wisdom and experience that come with the age.

The age of the actor playing the protagonist is another things that shows how the world can change in thirty years. In late 1960s Peter Fonda was embodiment of youthful rebellion. In late 1990s Peter Fonda plays the character not that unlike from the people he rebelled against long time ago. The role of Ulee Jackson, man so different from the young hedonists of today, seemed more suitable for the likes of Clint Eastwood or Charles Bronson. But Fonda played that role very well - he never expressed much of the emotion, but only the hints of his inner thoughts were sufficient due to Nunez's excellent characterisation. Fonda deservedly won "Golden Globe" for this role.

Another thing that sets Ulee's Gold apart from Hollywood mainstream is its willingness to deal with the ordinary "blue collar" people and their life - not exotic enough and too unglamorous for most of other Hollywood film-makers. Victor Nunez shows great deal of insight into this world, as well as great deal of admiration and love for people whose everyday sacrifices help the world going. Large segments of the film deal with the fine art of beekeeping. Those scenes don't slow down film; they don't only add authenticity to the film, but also help with Ulee's characterisation.

The rest of the cast, mostly unknown (with exception of Jessica Biel, who would reach front pages only later), is wonderful. Christine Dunford is very convincing in the role of drug addict, while J. Kenneth Campbell shines in small role of sheriff trying to win back Ulee's friendship. The acting styles are well-matched with Nunez's slow, deliberate direction. The scenes have thick atmosphere and viewers have plenty of opportunity to notice details. The deus ex machina ending is the only disappointing thing in Ulee's Gold. This disappointment shouldn't discourage viewers, though. The excellent acting, good script and good direction tell that this film is worthy of its title.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on June 1st 2004)