Ulee's Gold Details

The winner of a Golden Globe and desperately unlucky to be denied a best actor Oscar (by his old Easy Rider mate Jack Nicholson), Peter Fonda returned from years in the cinematic wilderness to give the best performance of his career in this slow-burning southern drama. Clearly inspired by his father Henry's genius for understatement, Fonda meticulously builds up the character of the Florida beekeeper and Vietnam veteran who has to interrupt his strict routine to rescue his estranged daughter-in-law and tackle the villains double-crossed by his jailed son. Wisely, director Victor Nunez devotes considerable time to watching Fonda tending his hives, for this not only tells us so much about Ulysses Jackson's approach to life, but also sets the pace of the action, which rolls languorously like Tupelo honey dripping off a comb. In an age when so many films hurtle along, it's a delight to be able to linger in the company of Ulee and his glorious isolation. Yet, the arrival of his junkie daughter-in-law, and the need to rally to the dysfunctional family he has all but disowned, does not disturb the tempo. A few loose ends might have been left untied, particularly with regard to Fonda's new neighbour Patricia Richardson, but, with so much empty entertainment around, this is, nevertheless, a rare treat.

"...Beautifully shot....Filled with quiet grace and soulful lyricism, Nunez's moving film is manifestly graced with the careful touch of a master..."