The buzz on "Buck"

There's a movie coming out this summer that I'm hoping you will all go and see. I know you're going to like it because, if you're a reader of this blog, you love animals and probably have at least a passing interest in horses, cowboys and the west.

It's a documentary about Buck Brannaman, the horseman upon whom Robert Redford's movie "The Horse Whisperer" was based.

Here's the studio's summary of the movie:

Buck, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment. Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses - and people - with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life. A truly American story about an unsung hero, Buck is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds.

I've been following @Buckthefilm on twitter ever since it won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and it's been exciting to watch the buzz on this film grow among mainstream critics and non-horse people. I have yet to read a bad review – and I'm not kidding when I say I've read at least 50. Two reviewers did mention that the film seemed a bit hagiographic. Huh? I looked up the word and, yes, I suppose it might come off as "a biography that treats its subject as if he were a saint." But you know what? I've ridden with Buck twice, once on Hank and once on Lyle, and witnessed how this man understands and communicates with horses. From the horses' perspective, Buck does meet the criteria for sainthood.

Buck is the real deal. He's as plainspoken and forthright as a man can be, and funny, too. I absolutely cannot wait to watch him tonight on Letterman.

The film opened up last weekend on both coasts and will work its way to across the middle of the country this summer. Here is a link to the release schedule by city. It's coming to Albuquerque on July 1 and you can guess where I will be that day. Mom, Dad, it's opening at a bunch of places near you tomorrow. You'll love it. Promise!

I know it probably seems silly to be sort of reviewing a movie I haven't seen yet, but so be it. I know it's great. And I will climb further out on the limb by saying that come Oscar time next year? There will be one movie in that list of "Best Documentary Feature" nominees that I actually will have seen.