Everything That Rises

This movie came out right after my son had a terrible accident that took most of his right hand and left hem scares from electrical burns. He was involved in Jr rodeo before the accident and we did not know if he would be able to continue.. Watching the movie helped to motivate him to try... long story short he started again and is still going on a rodeo scholarship in college and has a Nlbra world championship under his belt. He team ropes, tie down ropes, steer wrestles and rides saddle bronc.. It was a motivating film,,, I would like to get a copy somehow//// good flick for disabled individuals to motivate them to try things they may not have ordinarily tried

I never really cared for depressing movies, especially when they involve kids. Dennis Quaid could have been better in this movie. I've seen him a lot better. The kid, Ryan Merriman (Nathan) stole the show with his talents as a boy cowboy. Other than that the picture was a bit of a tear jerker but too depressing for me.

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!

This is heart-warming 'rainy day' entertainment. During the first half I fast-forwarded through some of the slow shmaltzy parts and then started to accept the film for what it was: a story about family struggles and achievements that aims at the heart and not the intellect. Congrats to Dennis Quaid on a fine directing debut. The ending is typically out of the Hollywood 'Officer and a Gentleman' box which thankfully does not detract from the film's positive family values. Worthwhile to watch with other family members who are not expecting a complex plot or sex and action. Have a box of tissues nearby for the tender scenes of love triumphing over adversity.

This was a wonderful and heart-warming film. It realistically portrayed some of the harsh struggles that can plague the American farmer of today. It was also very uplifting in that our heroes didn't give up in spite of the obstacles in their way.

It was refreshing to see that the solutions to their problems were reality based. They all made their own personal sacrifices to lift them out of their hardship. Their problems weren't solved magically, but by doing what was necessary to save their farm and their family.

This film was filled with love. But, not the hearts and flowers of so-called modern romance. But with the nitty-gritty type of love that is demonstrated by actions, not just with pretty words.

I personally feel that the most important part of the film is the way that Nathan's disability was dealt with. It didn't try to make it out to be something that it wasn't. They didn't waste time trying to look for some modern medical miracle cure. They dealt with it as a family. Best of all, the movie didn't treat Nathan like some courageous underdog. It treated him like he was a real person, whose disability, although it was a part of him, did not define him.