X
- 2011
- PG
- IFC Films
- 1 h 28 m
- 2011
- PG
- IFC Films
- 1 h 28 m
Summary Buck, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment. Buck possesses...
Directed By: Cindy Meehl
- 2011
- PG
- IFC Films
- 1 h 28 m
- 2011
- PG
- IFC Films
- 1 h 28 m
Buck
76
6.4
Where to Watch
Summary Buck, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment. Buck possesses...
Directed By: Cindy Meehl
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 31 Critic Reviews
76
87% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
10% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 31 Critic Reviews
76
87% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
10% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Buck is a movie to be revisited again and again, like passages from a satisfying self-help book. Riding experience isn't necessary to realize how extraordinary this man and his calling are.
Meehl, in her directing debut, is attuned to the rhythms of Buck, who's attuned to the horses.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 22 User Ratings
6.4
73% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
5% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
23% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 22 User Ratings
6.4
73% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
5% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
23% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
This documentary is the best ever and a keeper, no matter if you're a horseman or not. Also, as a person whose family and extended family has experienced emotional and physical abuse, many more great documentaries about this very subject need to be made, because this is really quite crucial to all our understanding (also considering all the other bad films and forgetful nonsense coming out these days). I have now viewed it a few times in the year since it came out and am still mesmerized by it. Personally, I'd probably give Buck my presidential endorsement. Also, the fact that the average review on here is not 5 stars (which is what this deserves!) is definitely a sign that there is still much abuse and callous insensitivity going on in America, and in secrecy, and I know this to be the case!
Report
Truly this is great movie for all ages. It has a unique style of a movie with a critical look at the side of the animal as part of our lives. The acting is a real pleasure to watch with the reality of both living and helping others to help themselves and their animals fit together in our lives. The family aspect was vital in making and location filming adds so much to its poignancy. Each member of the family with Buck work together and become a important force for each family and animal they help. Outstanding filming and narration from friends, coworkers, put this movie into the top 10 of the year for me. Hope it can get vital distribution throughout the country. A screen gem ! 5 out 5 for me
Report
The character who emerges in the breezy, somewhat meandering Buck is plain-spoken, heartfelt, compassionate, witty, and wise. His horse-training technique is based on understanding the psychology of animals and on attuning his human and equine clients with one another.
Soft-spoken and stoical, Brannaman is a firm but sensitive presence in front of the camera and facing down a spooked horse.
Possibly the touchy-feeliest cowboy movie ever made.
The man's mythology precedes him, and it's the movie's failing that we don't understand how or whether he uses that mythology because he knows it's good business.
Life lessons abound in Buck, most of them tied to endlessly reiterated comparisons between man and horse.
A good documentary is entertaining, educational, informative and usually makes you leave the theater thinking long after the movie has ended. While many documentaries have a political or moral stance, it is the rare documentary that fulfills all of the criteria for a good documentary, yet really has no purpose other than to enlighten. "Buck," is the documentary of real-life horse whisperer Buck Brannaman, his path to the life he chose, the lessons he learned as a child and how he took the right path as an adult in spite of his past.
"Buck" was timely for me as it represented what is in my heart at the moment. Wanting to enjoy each moment as they come. Not dwell on the past. Turn the negative things that have happened to me into positive things for the future. While the documentary did serve to tell Buck's story, as well as give insight into the amazing work he does as a horse trainer, it did much more. It displayed immense insight into fatherhood, parenting, patience and living for the positive things in our short lives.
While watching, I frequently thought of my estranged father-in-law, whom I believe would love this movie. Not only as a father, but also as a love for the roots of what makes a good cowboy.
"Buck" is a beautifully shot film with a captivating, heartwarming, as well as heartbreaking, story. I couldn't encourage seeing it more.
Report
Although Buck may not appeal to most people (that goes for me too), this short documentary demonstrated that it deserves the title of "unexpected treat". The story itself is not very rich or elaborate, but Buck Brannaman's analogies and his real life story are enough to steal anyone's heart. "Horses are incredibly forgiving. They fill in places we're not capable of filling ourselves." ~Buck.
Report
Buck is someone we all should learn from, and a remarkable man. This movie doesn't quite do him justice. Unfortunately, this movie could have been culled down into an hour tv documentary and probably have been just as good. The producers may have borrowed from Buck a little too much and failed to plum the depths of the man, instead merely letting us hear a whisper of him.
Report
Production Company
Back Allie Productions,
Cedar Creek Productions,
Motto Pictures
Release Date Jun 17, 2011
Duration 1 h 28 m
Rating PG
Genres
Tagline There's no wisdom worth having that isn't hard won
Awards
Warsaw International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Western Writers of America
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
