Customer Reviews
Modern Classic - By: Mr. Matthew J. Lee-williams, 20 Jul 2008 
~ Years before, Gill Gilkyson & her husband flip a quarter to see who will drive through the night in order to avoid a much needed rest stop. Tragedy strikes & Gill [Jennifer Lopez] is left alone & pregnant, & disowned by her father-in-law, Einar Gilkyson [Robert Redford]. Life for Gill has since been spent living with abusive husbands until one day she finds the courage to leave the latest, Gary Wilson [Damian Lewis] & return to Wyoming & Einar's ranch. Einer has since been looking after his life-long friend Mitch [Morgan Freeman], who was mauled by a bear & is now left crippled for life. Here begins the troubled story of three characters, each attempting to deal with their troubled pasts. Can Einar forgive his daughter-in-law for an accident that occured so long ago, accept that life is not always fair and, most importantly, accept Gill & his new-found grandaughter into his life? Can Gill face her own demons & become a responsible mother? And, after years of healing, will Mitch once more confront & forgive the animal who crippled him? ~
Based on the terrific novel by Mark Spragg & set in the backdrop of rural Wyoming, director Lasse Halllstrom [What's Eating Gilbert Grape; Chocolat] has hit the mark once again with this tense & heartbreaking drama. There are outstanding performances from alll the cast, most notably the ill-tempered Redford & the world-weary Freeman, who share a simultaneously tragic & amusing relationship --- & the scenery is stunning. The film maintains an optimistic feel despite the tragedies that have occured & the viewer is kept secretly hoping that a happy conclusion is achievable.
Matt Lee-Williams, Salisbury, UK
