rmarkgarrett

This movie was up for free viewing on Popcorn and I watched it because of Ryan Reynolds, but character actor David Paymer is the real star along with an outstanding supporting cast of child and adult actors. You rarely get to see David Paymer in a serious dramatic role, or even a sympathetic one, but there are no bad guys in this movie, which makes it a nice family film. This of course is Ryan Reynolds eight or nine years ago, a year or two at most after his success with National Lampoon's Van Wilder, a never graduating college student and party animal. So this turn as a committed and creative high school teacher Michael D'Angelo (Mr. D) is a 180 degree turn from the dissolute Van Wilder. Humor and pathos combine to make this an emotionally and engaging film that will make you remember what it was you liked best about your favorite teachers.

A plus for Canadian westerns over Italian westerns is no lip-synch. That pretty much sums it up. There isn't a lot a film crew can do with $8MUSD, and this crew was no exception. Despite a rock solid performance by Dwight Yoakum and good walk-on by Kris Kristofferson, they were the only ones taking their roles seriously. Everyone else involved in the film, most especially the writers, knew this stinker was headed straight to Netflix on demand and exerted themselves accordingly. It's too bad, because if they hadn't been going for bizarre there were elements here of a worthwhile story. Over-the-top performances really kill any character development that begins to rise up, and the indiscriminate use of flashbacks is done just to re-use film and extend run-time without doing anything for the story. I can't believe they actually bothered to bring this dog to Blu- Ray. If you can watch it for free on Popcorm using your Roku and have nothing else to do, have at it. Otherwise, get out and mow the lawn, weed the garden. It's a better use of your time.