SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

RipDelight This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

powermandan Henry Fonda is one of the best actors in all of cinema. His son Peter has done some great films too, with one of his lesser known flicks (this) containing his best performance. Fonda was nominated for an Academy Award and almost won. While Fonda is the crown-jewel in this, the supporting cast is just as good and almost everything the movie has is A-1.Ulee's Gold is a character study about a reserved beekeeper named Ulee Jackson (Fonda) who takes care of his two granddaughters. 7th Heaven's Jessica Biel plays rebellious punk teenager Casey and her little sister is the more normal Penny. Their mother Helen is a junkie who abandoned them and their father, Jimmy (Ulee's son), is a convict in prison. When Ulee urgently visits his son, he gets informed that his son's criminal accomplices, Eddie and Ferris, have found Helen and have been caring for her in Orlando. When Ulee goes to get her, they say that for her exchange that they want the money Jimmy hid after a job that they never got. Ulee takes Helen home and must deal with her withdrawal symptoms after years of heavy rohypnol use. I personally thought Helen gave the best performance of an actress that year in a supporting role. Peter Fonda's calm performance is not one that could be taken lightly. We see the pain, heartbreak and struggles as he tries to bring his torn up family back together. There's some scenes where we see him dealing with the bees--he expertly handles the bees, and it reflects on how he will be handling his family. His family is much harder to tend with than the bees, but Ulee determination will make reconciliation just as effect as his beekeeping. As I mentioned, Casey is a punk, who changes for the better. Helen is a junkie, who changes for the better. Penny is depressed and heartbroken, who gets better. Ulee's best fiends died in the war and his wife passed away, but his will to flee his demons and bring his family back together are all great.While the acting and character development are all perfect, the only criticism I'd give would be that the movie tends to drag on in some parts. Not a big deal, so whatever.

Lee Eisenberg When "Ulee's Gold" came out, it seemed as though Peter Fonda had been off of the radar for many years. But he made a comeback here as Florida beekeeper Ulysses Jackson, having to raise his granddaughters after their father gets put in jail and their mother can't take care of them. A triumph for all involved.This movie was truly a breath of fresh air when it came out in summer, 1997. That summer saw such "scum-sucking corporate products" (to use Peter Travers's description of "Armageddon") as "The Lost World", "Speed 2", and "Batman and Robin". Once again, we see that the small indie flicks are better remembered. Thank God.

loredenizen "Ulee's Gold" is an allegorical film about Alchemy, which is itself a metaphor for a process of spiritual development. The medieval alchemists famously attempted to turn lead into gold. As they consciously went through the various steps and stages of refining the metal, they would (theoretically) grow spiritually as their inner development mirrored their outer work. The "Gold" in the title refers to the honey Ulee manufactures, as well as symbolizing his family, himself, and the highest potential of all of the above. This film succeeds on all levels. Unlike most metaphorical or allegorical films, the narrative is matter-of-fact and grounded in reality. Here archetypal themes are spelled out in a modern context that requires no suspension of disbelief. The alchemical motif is repeated throughout, illustrating the different stages of the process. Ulee and his family heal by working together in the alchemical process of honey production.In a larger context, the entire tale, from Ulee's archetypal descent into to the underworld all the way to the love flowing amidst his restored family, is itself an alchemical working. The viewer gets to experience what the process is like - the challenge, growth, healing, and love, just by watching the film. "Ulee's Gold" leaves you feeling good. It's a simple film, not unlike an "ABC Afterschool Special", but superbly crafted and highly satisfying.

shua41 Since this film is from a regional independent director, typically it will tend to stride away from Hollywood norms. Allow me to quote the author of CInema of Outsiders-- Emanuel Levy, "Highbrow critics continue to complain about Nunez's restrained, unexciting film approach, and, indeed, its easy to overlook the qualities of Ulee's Gold in today's over-hyped market... Ulee's work is silent, repetitive, and undramatic, and so is the film." So, perhaps the reason that this film seems slow is because Nunez purposefully directed it that way. A good taste of regional independent cinema.