The impact of straightforward truths can be jarring. Filming took place in the spring and early summer of 2003, but it wasn't seen until September of 2005 after a long period shelved. The screenplay came from Mark Spragg and his wife Virginia, and was later released as a book the following year. Their work combines elements of Redford’s “The Horse Whisperer” with “Of Mice and Men,” evoking something like Crooks' e…

This film was enjoyable to watch. It possesses the level of quality I anticipate from the director of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, which similarly depends on a strong narrative and capable performances. The acting across the board is exactly what's needed. A particular plus for me was that the young actress wasn’t portrayed as one of those clever, sassy characters you frequently encounter in sitcoms; her character fe…