BUCK

[Guest guest]

If you haven't heard about it, it's a new documentary film about a man named

Buck who is the true living " horse whisperer " . The story explains how Buck

Brannaman was taught as a young man from his mentor, who learned this uncanny

skill from his mentor, and it follows Buck in his rounds as he works his magic

in workshops with horse owners. There are also film clips from his youth

starting as a trick roper artist, a career he began at the age of 3 (!!), as

well as his personal story of being beaten and abused at the hands of an

alcoholic psychopathic father. This latter detail falls into place in the story

because Buck has CHOSEN not to follow in his father's footsteps, but, instead,

to use the awareness of being fearful and abused to understand exactly how many

animals feel, to see how everything must look from the viewpoint of the animal.

We often forget that we can all make choices in our life.

The reason I mention it here is that the story is much much broader than the

relationship between a human and a horse, it goes back to how we handle the

land, the plants, the animals, our children, our spouse, how we relate to each

other, it's about life and how we live it. And if you should happen to be so

fortunate as to have horses, or to love horses, you will be in heaven! By all

means bring your children, your parents, your grandma, this is a film for

everyone. Redford, who portrayed the " horse whisperer " in his movie of

the same name, is a big presence in this movie. The film won the top honor at

the Sundance Film Festival this year.

I waited in line to see it (at the Edina Landmark theater here) because the

word-of-mouth is already out, then joined the entire teary-eyed audience in

rousing applause after the credits ended (oh, and be sure to stay for the extra

treats as the credits role). How I felt after watching this film is how I would

love to feel at least once every day. Inspired, hopeful, full-hearted, and

grateful to be alive.

Will Winter