Everything That Rises

I agree that this movie is not Dennis' best work, but he still did a great job playing the strict father that did not believe in coddling his son. He was tough and wanted his son to be that way too. Then when tragedy struck, it left them both unprepared and unable to handle the situation. The mother was doing all she could, but the boy wanted his father's love and attention. It took the grandfather to step in and teach them both that they still had commonalities in their life and were still connected by blood and nothing would ever change that. Yes, it is a tear jerker, it has gut wrenching scenes where you just boohoo, and then it has such happy scenes where you grin and boohoo in happiness for them. It takes a great movie that can move you from one side of the emotional wheel all the way around to the other side. I have watched this movie over and over, I love it and the message it has for everyone. I wish they would release it out on DVD, I want to add it to my collection. I only have it on VCR tape and the VCR is broken now. I would love to see it over again and again in the future on DVD.

This was very inspirational to my young son who lived a similar ranch life as the young man in the movie. At an early age he suffered severe electrical burns and lost most of his left hand. He mirrored the young mans determination in the movie figuring out how to do all of the Little Britches and JR. Rodeo events and continuing to High School, College and CPRA rodeos. He did very well through his years in rodeo including NLBRA world champion and a full ride college scholarship in roping and steer wrestling. He also excelled in football , basketball, and track. This movie had a deep impact on his success in life, in rodeo and other sports.

Granted the acting was not the best but the message conveyed makes it a winner.

No doubt this is such a beautiful movie, Dennis Quaid did a great job directing his debut movie. It really touch me seeing how this family country in Montana suffer many tragedies throughout the whole movie and manage to pull it together by the end. Love it, and I needless to say, the acting is strong, especially to a very young Ryan Merriman, he shines in this movie, for someone who was very young at that time he really pull it off as the little cowboy kid, I cried every time he cried, it was just so emotional!. Although I get emotional in any movie that people start to cry! XD, but thats not the case, this a greatly enjoyable movie that is really worth watching, I think it aired a few days ago in TNT and I think sometime in the future it will show again, so stay tuned to that channel and watch it!

I watched this movie on VCD over 15 years ago, then I just re-watched it today and decided to give this very good movie a review.

At first I though this movie is about cowboys life (because Dennis Quaid is wearing cowboy hat on the cover and I didn't read the synopsis) and I never like cowboys movie, but after I tried to watch it for couple of minutes, hey, this is not cowboys movie, this is modern family drama which took set in the country area. This movie is a touching, heartwarming family drama with cinematic shots, it makes you feel like you're reading a novel. I love it! The story is very sad and touchy, some people might think it little bit too depressing, but the story will give you a motivation to you and your family to keep strong and face all the bad things that came/might come to your life. Just watch it.

The acting of the actors are amazing, especially for Ryan Merriman, even he's still very young but his acting was so believable, so emotional. Good job for the main actor Dennis Quaid for directing this movie!

Always having lived in "cowboy country" I appreciate the believability of this film. It portrays the type of wholesome family life the region I grew up in, the brush country of Texas, is accustomed to. Sometimes even the best men do the ranch work and leave the rearing of children to the women; this story shows men how to be loving fathers. It has a stellar cast of characters. A young neighbor's little boy, who was only 3 years old at the time I bought the video, liked it so much that I gave it to him. Now I plan to replace it, as I have a greatgrandson who will soon be old enough to enjoy it, and I think my whole family will, as well. There is a dearth of the type films which depict the values we wish instilled, so I'm grateful for this one.