Percy

Christopher walken has never been my favourite actor, he managed to mash that potato in ''the deer hunter'', but here he is acting out pretty freely, stubborn as usual, but also very content and extreme colourful acting. Its a based on a true story film, so the plot layout is already there, but the dynamics and caracterbuild up is good, cast works all over, and the filming is held in a colourful ambien glow all the way, beutiful scenic views, and gives a great insight how farming in the midwest is and has been, a fight from daybreak till dawn.

Having just devoured this stub of realistic stubborness, the grumpy old man gives an allmighty acclaim for the production crew and the actors with a strong 7.well told story and therefore a recommend.

In 1998, Percy Schmeiser (Christopher Walken) is a cantankerous canola farmer in rural Saskatchewan. He receives a letter from Monsanto demanding $19k for using their crop genes. It's the groundbreaking legal battle between a single farmer and a global conglomerate. Jackson Weaver (Zach Braff) is his small town lawyer. Rebecca Salcau (Christina Ricci) is an environmental advocate eager to join the case.

This is very much the standard underdog story. The movie should center around Percy and Jackson. Rebecca does muscle into the second lead position and that is problematic. I can understand the movie writing an environmentalist in that way. It may even be very true to the reality. It would be better to make her less prominent. There is also the problem of Monsanto as the villain. It has no face and the movie generates no actual character doing the villainy. In the end, this important little-known story has a simple compelling lead hero and that's good.

Being from Saskatoon just west of Bruno Sask. I remember this story well and think this man is more than a local hero he's an international hero. To stand up against a major Goliath of a corporation as he did took more guts than most people have .I have family who farm in Sask. And Ab. And one who runs a minor seed and feed company West of Saskatoon and the outcome of this case impacted them as well .He to me should be held in the highest regard alongside. Erin Brockovich and others who stood up for what is right but because this was a story that took place in Canada rather than the U. S. A. It is not as well known. Erin Brockovich Stands up against giants but does not have a dog in the fight as Percy did and had a lot more press coverage to feed a larger group. So for a small time Farmer and community he is the gIant.

In this "covid" day and age, it is "difficult" to find a movie that appeals. On first thought i wanted to pass this title up, but wanted a movie that even slightly peaked my interest, this one did and I decided to watch! WISE CHOICE!

Fighting the big companies that insist we owe them for things we had no, never knew we did, is insane. Good people fighting, turning on each other over issues that were $$$ involved, and a matter of their lively hoods. BIG companies who try and bring down the little guys, who care, when they are the ones making ppl ill..(no names here)...is just wrong.....I applaud you Percy you are the hero!

When steely-eyed, shock-cropped Christopher Walken pumps his shotgun at the menacing bad guys, you know he means business. And that business, is a long, drawn out legal battle debating the legality of farming certain seeds. You may now sit back down.

In typical Canadian prairie fashion, "Percy" is more about wide landscapes, small community life, and a farmer's dedicated connection to the land, than inflammatory court room drama. Based on the true story of Saskatchewan Percy Schmeiser who wound up with Monsanto seed seeding itself on his land and then having the conglomerate giant bullying him into ruinous payment. Unyielding and stoic to a bankrupting fault, and against all sensible advice, Percy takes the case all the way to the Supreme Court.

As a juicy David vs Goliath fable, "Percy" moves at a snail's pace, generating it's lure through the perseverance and dogged determination of a man not necessarily pushing back, but standing defiantly in the way. As usual Walken is quite good, even in a calm, reserved role, one that doesn't require any shouting, gun play, or dancing. Who woulda thunk it?

A nice historic piece, "Percy" is not for everyone. But those happy to settle for an old school story that presents a cloudy subject in clear black and white, peppered with classic Canuck manners and pacing, will not be sorry.

• hipCRANK