| Buck |
| Written by Nick West | |||
| Wednesday, 13 July 2011 02:47 | |||
 Buck Brannaman is the real life inspiration for Robert Redford's "The Horse Whisperer." His real life adventures are more poignant and touching than any Hollywood melodrama. The film, "Buck," directed by Cindy Meehl, follows this extraordinary "cowboy" as he drives through the United States teaching horse owners what it really means to be a "horseman." "Buck" opens with an emotional first thirty seconds, that also blatantly tells us the theme of the movie: Buck Brannaman, "Helps horses with people problems." Buck is a gentle soul, which is all the more beautiful, in that, as a child, he was beat so often by his father, he often felt like an animal fearing for its life. He uses this trait to create empathy and understanding with people and horses. And though it seems like he almost loves the horses more than the people, there must be a feeling to the man that doesn't quite come across on film. Everyone he meets seems to look up to him. If we are to believe the film (and I do), this man is a genius. He seems to be one-of-a-kind in understanding how to "talk" to a horse. We never see him "whisper"—and in one interview, a long time friend mentions he's never seen that either. For Buck, it's all about energy and understanding. People marvel as Buck takes a wild, "spoiled" horse and calms the animal, turning it into an extension of his own body. He uses comfort, but not weakness to control the horses he comes in contact with. "Control" is not the right word. It's like he gets the horse to want the same thing he wants. Peace. As a character, Buck is fascinating beyond his skills with the equine. We can see the pain in his soul. Despite his poker-like features, his eyes tell the true story of his emotions at any given moment. He was beaten by his father, badly. And though he is open to talking about his dark childhood, he doesn't seem to use at as any kind of excuse. Instead, he uses his past as an example that animals can change; that we shouldn't blame a creature for the way it was raised, but help it heal and become better. Buck Brannaman is a teacher. At one point he says something to the effect of, "I end up changing the people more than the horses at these things." So Buck is a fascinating character. His message is one of hope. More on that in a minute. For a movie that I loved so much, I do have to say, it is a bit of a narrative mess. The whole wad is blown in the first thirty seconds, as to what the poignancy of the film is. Some shots lingering on horses will bore those of us who don't have a particular attachment to that world. Meehl produced this film out of obvious respect and love for the man. However, she may have a few things to learn as a director. There's so much more to Buck's childhood that could be dug into. His growth and pain should be the driving narrative. Instead, we get glimpses of the man's arc, and whole big segments of Buck's classes (or "clinics") on horse training. But does it really matter? In the end, I think not. One of the longest sequences, serving as a climax to the movie, shows as Buck deals with a particularly rotten horse—a colt. It is harrowing and edge-of-your-seat stuff. When Buck opens up on the owner of the colt, it feels like Dad is chewing us out and we deserve it. I stand in awe of this man's righteous anger. So, back to that "hope" thing. "Buck" is about horses—sort of. It's really about the human spirit, and the parts of our souls that can make a better world. Well, that's what I got from it anyway. "Buck" inspired this city-boy. Near the end, Buck says, "I'm still studying. I still want to be a better horseman." And that's when I realized what my gut was telling me throughout the film: Buck Brannaman is an artist. Inspiring. http://www.buckthefilm.com/ For more articles like Buck, please visit the Film Reviews Section of TimesSquare.com
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