Wooly Boys

Released to2001, "Wooly Boys" stars Peter Fonda and Kris Kristofferson as two aging sheep ranchers in the Badlands of North Dakota. After the former pays a visit to his daughter (Robin Dearden) in Minneapolis, he brings back his city-bred 16 year-old grandson (Joseph Mazzello). Keith Carradine plays a country sheriff, Rosanna DeSoto a ranch hand and Michael Booth an FBI agent. Jad Mager and Adam Logan are on hand as troublemakers while T. Mychael Rambo plays a hearse driver.

This dramedy focuses is on the conflict-habituated friendship of the two older ranchers and the visiting teen being a fish-out-water in the wilderness, which brings to mind 2003's "Secondhand Lions." At around the 30-minute mark there are several laugh-out-loud scenes, which are less frequent throughout the rest of the movie. The lines of the idiotic FBI agent are the best. Beyond this, the cast and authentic North Dakota locations are great, but the movie's mediocre about half the time. For instance, the kid responds to Kristofferson's character in one scene and it's wholly unconvincing. A top-of-the-line movie would re-do the scene or ad lib; whatever it took to make it work. So it's one of those part good/part meh movies, but I think the good makes it worthwhile, like the laughs, the birthing scene, the cast and the ND locations.

The film runs 99 minutes and was shot in Fryburg, Beach & Medora, North Dakota, and Minneapolis.

GRADE: C+

This is one of those heart warming movies about a technologically advanced grandson (Joe Mazzello, "Jurassic Park") and a backwoods sheep farmer grandfather (Peter Fonda). After being disconnected for many years from one another, they get the chance to discover what the other one is all about. A supporting role by Kris Kristofferson makes this movie a must see.

I recently had the opportunity to see this film at the FARGO FILM FESTIVAL. As a North Dakotan, I must be proud of any project that promotes North Dakota. WOOLY BOYS definitely does its fair share of "promoting." To be honest, I expected more. For a film that falsely calls itself "North Dakota's first major feature film" I was anticipating a sincere look at Modern North Dakota, or maybe an ernest approach at our history. I did not, however, expect to see yet another film that explores the "golly gee" persona of our elderly and silly folk. (Though these people exist and I love them!)

In regards to FARGO (THE MOVIE), some of the same people that support WOOLY BOYS fame, claim the film (FARGO) makes us look like a bunch of "idiots" and "dorks" and "other such silly names"...In WOOLY BOYS, apparently we are epitomized by Scruffy "Sheep Lovers." That's great.

Meanwhile, Kristofferson gave a hell of a performance. I was in awe. The film had its funny moments and I was impressed with some of the photography. However, the film did not exemplify what it is to live in North Dakota or what it is to be a North Dakotan. Look for this film on USA (CABLE) Saturday afternoons. Because it is good enough to watch in its entirety, if you're a fan of the named actors. (or some silly manure jokes)

Cast, dialogue and relational theme peppered with good humor make this movie a must see. Fonda, Kristofferson, Mazzello, Carradine stand out as friends who love and work for a lifetime not just for a movie time. North Dakota boy is where I want to be...its where country stays cool, computers are a fitting bit of the action and family & friends bond for life.

Kate and Martinez bring a feisty female touch to the film that does not go overboard but compliments the boys nicely.

Some of the lines have stayed in our house bringing up a laugh and a desire to watch the show again...like "that's none-ya" and "no cussing inside" And though the main characters name is Stoneman there is nothing cold about this movie. We have viewed it often enough to have caught most of the bloopers...like "Skeeleton trees" rather than Skeleton trees as written on FBI Collins pager...but the birth of a lamb and a Wooly Boy makes up for the faux pas.

Want to feel better after a flick? Watch Wooly Boys and plan on it. Enjoy

Decades ago actors (and, certainly, actresses) often used to quit making movies, to retire and be remembered for what they've done while being young, strong, beautiful. Some decided to reappear for a special occasion, like James Cagney, some kept their decision till the end. Greta Garbo and Cary Grant come first into my mind.

Today the times have changed. After Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Jack Lemmon, Henry Fonda and others that didn't want to waste their last breaths, many actors that have approached the years where traditional lover and action hero roles don't fit much any more not only keep on playing, but aren't satisfied to get supporting roles for new young stars movies – they even make movies where all top casting positions contains their peers. And while Clint, Tommy Lee and others decided to go to space, Kris, Peter and Keith's movie takes place in (similarly isolated) American wilderness.

For Kristofferson, as a country composer and singer, and as a "Heaven's Gate" star, this is a natural environment. Carradine also had his share of roles that took him to middle USA, "Nashville" and "The Long Riders" among best remembered. And for Fonda this may be the kind of landscape that he rode along in "Easy Rider".

Though their best years are behind them they are still capable of making a good job. They are not stars like Jones and Eastwood (and, unfortunately, never have been – just a step behind, having maybe just a teaspoon less luck to make few successes in a line), and they don't get first class productions. However, taking what's been offered, none of them disappointed us. There was no need for a big theater type of acting, the three men are small people from small town and big gestures would be overacting.

Though the story keeps running in the limits of solid TV production, the writers made some unusual and funny jokes (stolen dead body, agent Collins' enthusiasm...) and avoided making the conflict between worlds of a teenage computer fan and his grandfather from isolated farm become a center point of jokes (so many times repeated in movies like "Crocodile Dundee", "Coming to America", "Starman", "Les visiteurs" etc) – screenplay is definitely better than one would expect seeing that long list of writers. However, the directing seems rather slow and too mainstream, leaving some scenes underused and a lot of potentials partially ignored. As it could be expected, the end is too sentimental containing no surprises, very TV-ish, but doesn't ruin the integrity.

Anyway, it is always a pleasure to watch those three next-to-top stars and, without having to big expectations, those who like all or some of them won't regret.