rbstern
Saw this movie many years ago, and had occasion to see it again recently. It's filled with good performances, none more so than Peter Fonda in the title role. The aging and weary Ulee has heavy life burdens. He's a vet who lost many friends in Vietnam. He's a widower to a woman who was his soulmate. He's father to an imprisoned felon. Father-in-law to a junkie daughter-in-law, who ran away and left him as a stand-in- parent to his two young granddaughters, including a rebellious teen (nice performance by a young Jessica Biel). His dying trade, beekeeping, is physically demanding. His body is breaking down. His son's past sins are coming back as a very real danger to the family. He clings desperately to his values and way of life, but it's clear his soul is nearly exhausted. And if that's not enough, Ulee's upbringing, character and outlook on life demand that he carry all this weight alone, without help from outsiders.Fonda's performance has you feeling like you're bearing some of the crushing weight on Ulee's back. Palpable. You can't help but feel sorry for him, with every step in his painful, limping gait.This is an understated tale of a man persevering against life trying to tear him down, with the kind of burdens many people in our society know all too well.Highly recommended.
SnoopyStyle
Ulee Jackson (Peter Fonda) is a beekeeper taking care of his granddaughters Penny (Vanessa Zima) and the rebellious Casey (Jessica Biel). His son Jimmy (Tom Wood) calls from prison. He tells him that his wife Helen (Christine Dunford) is in trouble and Ulee needs to rescue her from his old running mates Eddie Flowers and Ferris Dooley. They tell him that their last job is suppose to have an extra $100k and they want their money. Ulee takes the drug addicted Helen home. Penny asks next door neighbor Dr. Connie Hope (Patricia Richardson) for help.Fonda gives a quiet but powerful performance. Ulee is a salt-of-the-earth solid character. His family is a shattered one. Like Victor Nunez's previous movie 'Ruby in Paradise', he has given a perfect showcase for his lead. The story is simple but effective. For all the low world influence, the violence is pretty tame. The movie can feel tame but it has a deeper heart.
Michael Reed
The title of the film "Ulee's Gold" does not inspire most movie-goers to run to their local theaters. As a skeptic, I gave the film a chance on a rainy Thursday evening & what a pleasant surprise. Those of us who enjoy superb acting, a good storyline & script, and a capable leading man are in for a treat. Standoffish, reclusive, & heartbroken beekeeper Ulee Jackson lives a simple life caring for his grandchildren in Florida. But the simple life is not without challenges. Ulee is forced to face his jailed son's crime & cohorts, a daughter-in-law on drugs, raising girls coming of age, & a new neighbor with a big heart. Through it all, Ulee keeps a stiff upper lip & a strong familial presence in order to right the wrongs & keep his simple life whole. Peter Fonda outdoes himself in the title role & gives you reason to believe in Ulee's fortitude. Jessica Biel & Patricia Richardson are more than capable in their respective supporting roles. If you get a chance, give "Ulee's Gold" a gander. You won't be disappointed. Platinum,....simply platinum.
ttbird2000
"Peter Fonda was never an action star"... So said Roger Ebert. That captures the essence of Fonda's performance, which is also the essence of "Ulee's Gold". There are those actors of past and present who visibly try to get you to notice them - Alec Baldwin, Robin WIlliams, and Marlon Brando are examples. There are those who do not try, and yet they still attract your attention - Gary Cooper, Steve McQueen, Randolph Scott - because of their charisma in what they say and do, regardless of how seldom they say and do it. Then there is the rarest of all actors - those who seem to be trying to get you to NOT notice them. Then, when their time to shine (their "close up", if you will) come along, you not only notice them, but you remember them. The only two actors I have known to do this are Spencer Tracy and Henry Fonda. In "Ulee's Gold" Peter Fonda shows he too has this ability, even if he seldom gets a chance to use it. In viewing this film, I saw much of Henry in Peter's performance. If you were to view "My Darling CLementine" you would also see the parallels in Henry's performance - how he calmly subdues a drunkard who is shooting up a saloon, and the easily Peter calmly walks into a nest of agitated bees. And the way both men act when harm threatens their family - they are calm and patient on the outside, but only until it is time to act. Then, they perform acts of cunning and bravery. Most of the time, they don't seem to be doing much at all. But you must still watch them because when they do something, you don't want to miss it. Henry made a number of exceptional films over a 45 year career - many good, but none wildly phenomenal. Peter mad the most influential film of his generation ("Easy Rider") while still in his 20s and has not come close to that level since. With "Easy Rider", we knew Peter was an icon. With "Ulee's Gold", we discover that he is Henry's son.
AD
