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BUCKMovie Reviews
Documentary about the life and work of Buck Brannamann, the cowboy whose intuitive ability to communicate with horses inspired "The Horse Whisperer.". Cast:Buck BrannamanDirector:Cindy MeehlRelease Date:June 17, 2011DVD Release:October 4, 2011From:IFCRating:PGLength:1 hr 28 min
Buck played in key cities to excellent reviews. • James Rocchi wrote for MSN Movies, "...an unexpected Zen journey in chaps and plaid, and the rare documentary as intellectually and philosophically rewarding as it is emotionally moving." • And Tom Meek wrote in the Boston Phoenix, "...relates a tale of perseverance.... Brannaman's methods impress, and his humanity more so." More Reviews Below...
Mary Pols, Time: EXCELLENT "...has the air of a beautiful little mystery; even knowing the uplifting outcome, you wonder at the strength that brought Buck to this place."(See all of Mary Pols's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 446 words, 06/17/11
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a portrait that expertly mirrors its subject... shaped with the same economy, restraint, and unfussiness as the man, to unexpectedly inspiring effect."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 116 words, 06/17/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "I was left with the goodness of Buck Brannaman... He overcame his start and is now a wise and influential role model. He does unto horses as he wishes his father had done unto him."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 607 words, 06/24/11
James Rocchi, MSN Movies: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...an unexpected Zen journey in chaps and plaid, and the rare documentary as intellectually and philosophically rewarding as it is emotionally moving."(See all of James Rocchi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 819 words, 06/14/11
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: EXCELLENT "Finding a great subject can be half the battle in documentary, and in Mr. Brannaman Cindy Meehl discovered one who holds your attention and heart for a tight 88 minutes."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 825 words, 06/17/11
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times/Chicago Tribune: OUTSTANDING "What a relief in times saturated with news of the worst of humanity to see something of the best.... deeply moving yet never maudlin..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 818 words, 06/17/11
David Edelstein, New York Magazine: EXCELLENT "I've never seen a film in which the link between a trauma and its triumphant transmutation is as vivid... shambling yet uncannily beautiful..."(See all of David Edelstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 497 words, 06/17/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "I was left with the goodness of Buck Brannaman... He overcame his start and is now a wise and influential role model. He does unto horses as he wishes his father had done unto him."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 607 words, 06/24/11
Mark Holcomb, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "Cindy Meehl finds the real story in Brannaman's fractured past... Brannaman grew into a preternaturally gentle adult who channels hard-earned patience and compassion into his work."(See all of Mark Holcomb's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 205 words, 06/15/11
Rick Groen, Toronto Globe & Mail: VERY GOOD(cg) "Darned tootin', we're home on the range here, where seldom is heard a discouraging word and don't nobody be yappin' that 'Buck' is too good to be true."(See all of Rick Groen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 584 words, 10/28/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "Brannaman's spirit comes through best in the footage of him working with the animals. It's enough to break your heart, even as it heals his own."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 242 words, 10/27/11
KEY CITIES (9 Reviews)
David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Brannaman is a fascinating character, but 'Buck' is so tightly focused that only avid horse lovers will find it appealing."(See all of David Hiltbrand's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 280 words, 06/24/11
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "I've never seen a cowboy like this sardonic healer, and I don't expect I will forget him -- or his lessons -- anytime soon."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 237 words, 07/01/11
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: VERY GOOD(cg) " 'A human failed that horse,' Buck rails, adding the bleak observation that 'your horses are mirrors to all your souls.' "(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 585 words, 06/24/11
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "...becomes about something bigger than one person's story or than animal training. It's about the pitfalls of neurosis and about the responsibilities of parenthood."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 419 words, 06/24/11
Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...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."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 375 words, 07/07/11
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (8 Reviews)
Mark Holcomb, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "Cindy Meehl finds the real story in Brannaman's fractured past... Brannaman grew into a preternaturally gentle adult who channels hard-earned patience and compassion into his work."(See all of Mark Holcomb's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 205 words, 06/15/11
Sam Adams, AV Club: VERY GOOD(cg) "Brannaman's magic is most starkly on display in a harrowing sequence where he tries to tame an orphaned horse... It's one damaged child looking after another..."(See all of Sam Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 450 words, 06/16/11
Andrew Schenker, Slant: WEAK(cg) "Even when filmmaker Cindy Meehl hits on first-rate footage of a fascinating practice, she insists on undermining its strength by reducing it to little more than a device for the delivery of a simplistic, shopworn message."(See all of Andrew Schenker's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 491 words, 06/12/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "Brannaman's spirit comes through best in the footage of him working with the animals. It's enough to break your heart, even as it heals his own."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 242 words, 10/27/11
Curt Holman, Atlanta Creative Loafing: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "An iconic Western figure comfortable referring to 'Oprah' and iPods, Brannaman emerges as a role model through his character, not just his achievement."(See all of Curt Holman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 213 words, 06/22/11
HIGHBROW PRESS (4 Reviews)
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: OUTSTANDING "...keeps you fascinated, even enthralled; elicits astonishment, even wonderment, and makes you grateful for the chance to meet someone remarkable."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 500 words, 06/17/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: EXCELLENT "Finding a great subject can be half the battle in documentary, and in Mr. Brannaman Cindy Meehl discovered one who holds your attention and heart for a tight 88 minutes."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 825 words, 06/17/11
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "What a relief in times saturated with news of the worst of humanity to see something of the best.... deeply moving yet never maudlin..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 818 words, 06/17/11
Dennis Harvey, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "Warmly engaging... a portrait of Buck Brannaman, a trainer whose remarkable way with equines provided a model for 'The Horse Whisperer' in both novel and movie forms."(See all of Dennis Harvey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 483 words, 01/30/11
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "A quietly captivating portrait of an unlikely character... as modest as its subject and wins viewers over just as easily."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 459 words, 01/22/11
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "What a relief in times saturated with news of the worst of humanity to see something of the best.... deeply moving yet never maudlin..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 818 words, 06/17/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: EXCELLENT "Finding a great subject can be half the battle in documentary, and in Mr. Brannaman Cindy Meehl discovered one who holds your attention and heart for a tight 88 minutes."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 825 words, 06/17/11
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: OUTSTANDING "...keeps you fascinated, even enthralled; elicits astonishment, even wonderment, and makes you grateful for the chance to meet someone remarkable."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 500 words, 06/17/11
14.0 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Buck's reviews are separated by an average 14.0 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Coverage:Buck's reviews cover 60.0% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 15,452 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 442 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 3 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Buck's reviews on average broke 3 days after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Buck's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
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