This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
They Just Keep It Inside
Plot Overview
Canadian country girls Lucy Edwards
and her friend Lindsay grew up together in Alberta (“We were
like sisters.”) At seventeen Lucy “a looker” eloped
with rodeo bum Josh Morgan (Ron White) against her father's wishes
who wanted someone better for her; she was married and pregnant
by the time he caught up with them. Since the film depicts Lindsay's
daughter Casey (Candace Ratcliffe) in the same grade nine as Lucy's
son Shane, Lindsay (Janet-Laine Green) would have fallen pregnant at the
same time Lucy did, though if she were the older “sister,” that
would have given her time to learn her trade as a veterinarian first.
Lindsay's husband Roger Sutherland (Thomas Hauff) is a real estate
lawyer commuting to town at a time when the market is soft. The Morgans
have been living in the states, Josh working as a general laborer until
rodeo season when they make the circuit in their truck–camper.
Roger and Lindsay attempt a trial separation
until he wants to move east while seeing how it works out, but she
wants to “make it legal.” Lucy wants to drive Josh home
from the saloon one night but this rodeo rider doesn't want to ride
shotgun. When Casey's father is gone and Shane's mother “isn't
coming,” they're wallowing together in the pits, the Morgans
having moved back to the ranch inherited from Josh's deceased
father-in-law. This is a circle-of-life flick highlighting the
difficulties understanding cowboys & cowgirls who
don't wear their emotions on their sleeves.
Ideology
There are some modest background points in this film that pack a whole lot of punch as in, (Prov. 30:24) “There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:”
(Prov. 30:25)
“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat
in the summer.” It's good to start early to prepare for one's
path in life. Here we see Shane (Joshua Ansley) at age ten offering
to help break his mom's new filly, and he won a purse steer riding
at the rodeo. He is diligent in his home schooling on the road
(“That kid reads so much it's a wonder he can still talk.”)
Four years later Shane (Zachary Ansley) insists on jumping into the
ninth grade rather than repeat eighth for being behind. He'll work
to make it up; he's a smart kid. His teacher Mr. Thorpe (Thomas
Peacocke) gives him additional tutoring. Shane assists the vet to reimburse her for her work
done. He performs the regular ranch chores and looks for outside
opportunity (“I like it here, Dad. We both have to get a
job.”) He repairs their truck after procuring needed parts.
He helps at the Snack Shack in exchange for a ride.
(Prov. 30:26) “The conies are
but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” Location
is all important. It is much to Shane's benefit to have a settled home
where he can be enrolled in a regular school to fill out his
transcript and to socialize with kids his age. Roger Sutherland
moved east for better opportunity. Josh followed the rodeo.
(Prov. 30:27) “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands.” It's good to develop ad hoc liaisons. Mrs Sutherland responds to her neighbors' desperate straits telling Shane, “I have friends here. We're gonna help you out.”
(Prov. 30:28)
“The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings'
palaces.” The final step to success is to take hold of ambitious
opportunities to secure one's niche in this world. It's an imposing
palace that the little spider finds her place in. In his mid-thirties
Josh is unable to defend his title against younger bucks, but he finds
manual work through the Canada Employment Center (“I can drive
anything”) and a humble position at the rodeo.
Production Values
“” (1988) was written and directed by Anne Wheeler. It was based on the novel, Cowboys Don't Cry by Marilyn Halvorson. It stars Ron White, Zachary Ansley, Janet-Laine Green, and Candace Ratcliffe. Son "Shane" was played by brothers Zachary and Joshua Ansley at different ages. The acting was so-so using locals. It was filmed in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada. It has a runtime of 1¾ hours.
Review Conclusion w/a Christian's Recommendation
It opens with a fixed shot of cows sauntering through a gate, and the pace doesn't let up. This is a good one to nod off to; on awakening you can just pick up where you left off. If you're a farmer looking for a wife, watch this movie with your dates; you'll learn a lot.
Movie Ratings
Action Factor: Weak action scenes. Suitability for children: Not rated. Expletives are used when called for. Special effects: Wake up and smell the 1990s technology. Video Occasion: Good Date Movie. Suspense: Predictable. Overall movie rating: Three stars out of five.
bibles.n7nz.org