ULEE'S GOLD -- a movie review by Justin Siegel
Bee metaphors -- there are lots of 'em. I know; I've seen ULEE'S GOLD.
Living in a small city, most offbeat, indie, or small features don't get shown here until a month or two after they've proven themselves worthy. And then they only usually stay about a week, since nobody in this town appreciates good films. ULEE'S GOLD will suffer this fate, and it's a pity. Everyone is out enjoying that insipid Jennifer Aniston comedy PICTURE PERFECT.
I saw ULEE'S GOLD on its opening day. Everyone in the theater loved it. All six of us.
ULEE'S GOLD is a magical and inspirational new film from RUBY IN PARADISE director Victor Nunez, and it caused quite a stir at Sundance this year. It is the story of beekeeper Ulee Jackson (Peter Fonda), who lives with his two grand-daughters: Penny (Vannesa Zima), 10, and Casey (Jessica Biel), 15. He is a widower and is more comfortable consorting with bees than with human beings.
He has a son in prison, who he hasn't heard from since forever. Then he gets the call. His son, Jimmy (Tom Wood), wants Ulee to go to Orlando and bring Helen (Christine Dunford), Jimmy's wife, back to Ulee's home. Ulee is none too excited about this, and neither are her daughters, especially since she's a major druggie.
But, with the help of neighbor Connie (Patricia Richardson, from tv's HOME IMPROVEMENT, proving that at least one star from that show can make a _good_ movie), they get Helen through withrawal and try to steer her in the right path. Not so easy with her old roommates coming back to collect some money they think they're due.
ULEE'S GOLD, like Nunez's other film RUBY IN PARADISE, is about lonely, tortured souls who just want a little peace and quiet. Fonda, eerily resembling his father Henry in both looks and acting ability, is virtually a shoe-in for a Best Actor nomination next March, and don't be too surprised if both Nunez and the film itself get recognition too.
ULEE'S GOLD deserves it.
A (report card) 9 (out of 10) **** (0 to ****)
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