Fonda Strikes Gold
Heartwarming Story Touches Many Levels

Once in a while, I will see a film in one of the so-called "art houses" in Kansas City. Such films rarely make it to Topeka, where the low number of theaters demands a quick turnover of only the most profitable movies. As a result, I don't often get to share my point of view on the less mainstream faire offered in the cinema today.

To my pleasure and surprise, Peter Fonda's latest film Ulee's Gold is now showing in Topeka. This wonderful, albeit sedate, film tells a compelling story about a Florida beekeeper who tries to keep his family together using the same plodding goodness with which he tends his bees. Fonda's strong performance, as well as some beautiful direction by Victor Nunez (who also wrote the screenplay), make this a great choice for those interested in a cerebral film.

Fonda plays Ulee (short for Ulysses) Jackson, a Florida beekeeper who is raising his granddaughters without any help. His wife, we assume (and later discover) passed away, and the children's father is in the state pen serving time for armed robbery. This burden is his alone to bear, and he reminds his granddaughter Penny (Vanessa Zima) that they do not ask strangers for help. It's all about family.

Ulee's life is by no means paradise. His oldest granddaughter, Casey (Jessica Biel), is hitting her rebellious years. He appears to have no control over her. When he gets a call from his son, Jimmy (Tom Wood), and must drive to the penitentiary, Casey argues about babysitting her younger sister. This, it becomes apparent, will be the least of Ulee's troubles.

Jimmy's ex-wife, Helen (Christine Dunford), has been seen in Orlando by two men suspected of being Jimmy's accomplices in the robbery. Ferris and Eddie reported that her drug addiction has made her uncontrollable, and they want Ulee to come and fetch her. More importantly, Jimmy wants his father to get her. Unwilling to see his former daughter-in-law throw her life away, Ulee drives to Orlando to pick her up only to find himself threatened by Ferris and Eddie.

He returns to his small town, his junkie daughter-in-law in tow. With the help of a neighboring nurse, Connie Hope (played by "Home Improvement" co-star Patricia Richardson), he straps Helen to the bed in an effort to clean out her system. Unfortunately, between his need to work with the bees, his bad back, and the continuing threats from Ferris and Eddie, Ulee has more than he can handle.

The imagery of the bees, and Ulee's careful, methodical care of their hives is a wonderful analogy for his ability to take care of his family. For those who would miss such symbolism, Nunez hits the audience over the head with it every chance he gets. My one complaint about the film was its obvious overtones and symbolism. From the characters' literary names to the lingering camera shots, Nunez screams at his audience, "Hey, don't miss this! It's symbolic!" In discussing this film with others, I found I was not alone in this sentiment.

In many ways, Ulee's Gold reminds me of the films my family would watch together when I was growing up. Perhaps it is the quiet strength of Fonda's performance or the flushed lighting of the film making it reminiscent of something from the '70s. Some of the scenes in this film are so powerful they may make adults wince. Despite such scenes, though, there is a good message about responsibility and family obligations which make Ulee's Gold a must see movie.

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 111 min.