Barn Red

Ernest Borgnine's performance in this film was perfect! I was raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm in the 60's and 70's and through this movie I was constantly reminded of my late friends and relatives and their manner of thinking and speaking from the heart and how they related with people both friend and foe. If you want an accurate understanding of the American family farmer you will get it from this film. Here Ernest Borgnine proved that he is an American treasure.

If you are looking for the latest buddy film or some other cinematic special effects overload then by all means pass this one by.

But if you want to see a seasoned veteran of the screen in a vehicle that entertains at a relaxed pace, then you may want to check out "Barn Red." While this slow moving drama will have the MTV (read EMPTY-V) reaching for their remotes, those with the patience to stay will see a wonderful performance by an exceptional actor.

Faced with the possible loss of his farm, land that has been in his family for generations, Borgnine's character must make some tough decisions as he tries to enlist the support of his neighbors who are tempted by the promise of great wealth from aggressive land developers.

Other films have looked at the plight of the modern day family farm but few of them have this much heart.

This is such a touching film. I love how it is so relatable. Having grown up in Michigan and being able to watch as much of the land that was once farms and nature be turned into condos, big box stores, and subdivisions, I absolutely love the story of this film. Not being extremely intense, the passion of the writer is clear. No one goes through life without making difficult decisions regarding finances, homes, family, and friends, which is why this film is so amazing. I wish there were more films out there with such sweet and kind stories behind them as this one. Also, Borgnine is so perfect, and Kimberly does an impeccable job.

There is a lot wrong with this movie, but the aspect that I found most appalling was the producer / director / writer's insistence on compressing the magnificent rolling countryside of Northern Michigan into a confined, claustrophobic play. Where are the acres of cherry trees, the breath taking sudden views of Lake Michigan as one crests a tree studded hill, the grandeur of the fall foliage? Except for a splash of red here and there on the farm in dispute, this film could have been shot in downtown Detroit. The viewer is taken from one confining location to another without ever traveling the byways of this magnificent piece of God's country. Except for Ernest Borgnine, the actors are unknown and should remain so. They all resemble wooden mannequins portraying stereotypical characters. The most annoying of them is the so - called developer trying to turn paradise into a ghetto. He is played in such an unbelievably farcical manner that the serious issue of preserving America's beautiful land is reduced to a cartoon-ish dimension. I live here and I did not recognize the area. Forget this one.

Barn Red comes across as a wonderful portrait of people who love the land. Mr. Borgnine, one of my favorite actors, personified the warm and benevolent farmer with deep family roots. Rich Brauer painted a beautiful picture of rural Michigan and its people. Mr. Borgnine and Ms. Norris had a chemistry which was totally believable, they came across as solid people with a marvelous mutual connection. This is a story at one level, a relationship at another level and a visually beautiful movie overall. The movie was technically well executed, the storyline was well crafted and the character development was engaging. This is a film which is very much worth the time.