Ruby Jean and Joe

As this movie began I saw the crystal clear colour, sharp focus, and Western setting, and was about to turn it off. Then the young hitch-hiker appeared and I thought. "Oh no! Cutesy-pooh-made-for-TV family schmaltz," but, I was home, sick, on the sofa, and Tom Selleck's usually worth watching so.... The movie hadn't got very far before I realised that I was watching something pretty extraordinary. It was a movie that was inviting me to think, to think about what it means to be a man, and and in particular, a strong man who is facing the alien world of age and declining powers. Tom Selleck's performance showed, to me, a man who, through his relationship with the girl (great actress by the way!) learnt something about life, and drew strength and comfort from the knowledge, whilst she drew greater strength and understanding of the world as a result of being treated like an adult for the first time. If a really cheesy director had been in charge, I can see these words rolling across the screen at the end: "Old age hath yet his honour and his toil; Death closes all: but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be done, Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods." (Tennyson)

I really enjoyed this movie. Apart from the very brief nude sequence it was a quality film. I enjoyed seeing Tom Selleck in something different and I agree with the other comment in here that Rebekah Johnson should have gotten more roles. She was great. The story was believable, and I was touched at Tom Selleck's playing of his part. Quite a few sequences were also not unrealistic in the situation of the older man and a young girl combination; and I can't help feeling the movie would have had a more family rating without the very small nude scene I mentioned earlier. Good to see some known faces in the movie apart from Tom Selleck as well. I recommend this movie to anyone who gets the opportunity to view it. Maybe one day it might be available in DVD, that would be great also.

OK - ya got Tom Selleck playing Tom Selleck playing the Wagnerian cowboy - and then ya got Jo Beth Williams playing Jo Beth Williams playing the retired ho with the heart of gold, and then ya got new-comer Rebekah Johnson playing the wise-cracking "Tatum O'Neil-alike" third wheel.

Ok, so what's weird vibe about that - over and above just odd - well, it's because the Rebekah Johnson character appears to be about 16 years old and the Tom Selleck character is a 50 something drunk drifter who picks up the 16 old hitch hiking and takes her on as his dusty road-traveling companion - but, oh no, there's no "lolita" vibe there, right? Wrong, there is, it's creepy.

Well, that's the problem with this one - the premise is way hinkcy and no amount of Tom Selleck mustache charm or Rebekah Johnson quirky wise-cracking, or Jo Beth Williams in jeans that were apparently painted on her changes what is basically a story about a Mann Act violation.

So, one word summary - icky.

Now you know. He's currently selling reverse mortgages and claiming it's not his first. And here's the proof.

One of the "best" television movies made by Tom Selleck (just my opinion), that I've had the chance to see. The way Mr. Selleck and Ms. Johnson interacted in the film, gave me quite a bit of 'food for thought', in the way we (the young and old) treat each other, and the things we can learn from each other. Was interesting to find out that it was based on actual incidents that happened to the writer, who died right after the film was completed. Think he would have been proud of how it turned out. Also, just thought Mr. Kevin Lutton would like to know that unfortunately the powers that be in Hollywood, have still not recognized Ms. Johnson's (actress' name is Rebekah Johnson)talents. She only made one other film (don't know if there's anything else in the works at this time.) that I'm aware of. Hope to see her in more in the near future. Jean