Wooly Boys

Mediocre movie in the vein of "An Unfinished Life" that has its moments, but falls apart because it doesn't know whether to be a drama or a slapstick comedy. Peter Fonda and Kris Kristofferson give amazing performances, and share some very funny and bittersweet scenes, but they're constantly being interrupted by pointless comic relief. A movie about an old man waiting to die should not have bungling cops, Dukes of Hazzard villains, and annoying teenagers. The latter is especially grating. I realize the entire plot centers around the kid, but after ten minutes of his shrill, nasal whining I wanted him to get trampled to death by the sheep.

It has beautiful footage of the North Dakota landscape (after a confusing side trip to Minneapolis), and like I said before, Fonda and Kristofferson are wonderful, but the rest is a wash. If they'd scrapped the comedy, this would have been a great movie.

The movie was not as good as I hoped. It wasn't bad but it was lacking. The story felt rushed, some of the humor was too obvious (there were scenes that were funny though), and there should have been clearer character development. I think it's a good film for children and older folks. I had hoped there would have been more film of the badlands and it failed to truly show the beauty of the prairie. For an independent low-budget release it was pretty good. At least it didn't make North Dakotans look like backwater hicks ( ala the horrible "Fargo" movie which was not filmed in nor did it take place in the city it was named after!)

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)

I enjoyed this film. It showed how a young city boy grew up and faced life, from being a spoilt brat he turned out to be a man of decisions and courage.The two main men in the film played there parts with feeling and i could belive in them.

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.