BUCK

BUCK

Directed by Cindy Meehl; directors of photography, Guy Mussman and Luke Geissbuhler; edited by Julie Goldman

It seems that whenever we pick up a newspaper or click on the TV, we hear about climate crises, war, overthrow of governments, terrorist attacks of some sort and political maliciousness..  What a total pleasure and relief to learn about Buck Brannamen, a real life Wyoming cowboy, the central figure in the documentary BUCK.  The film The Horse Whisperer was inspired by Buck and his approach to horses. You don't need to be a horse lover to enjoy this beautiful film.

  The film covers Buck’s childhood horrors to his adulthood fame and success with horses.  Buck and his brother were trained by their brutal father to do rope tricks in rodeos.  They even appeared on TV in the 60’s.. Their loving mother was a line of protection against the sadistic father.  She died when Buck was young so he was at the mercy of this cruel and often drunk man.  When a gym teacher discovered angry welts and scars on Buck's and his brother's backs, they were placed by court order in the foster care of the Shirleys, a loving and gentle couple who enabled Buck to overcome his terrors and shyness..  Thank heavens for this. 

Having suffered terrible cruelty and pain from his father, Buck empathizes with the horses.  He does not believe they need to be 'broken' by abusive methods.  He is legend in the horse world.  He travels 40 weeks of the year to hold 4 day clinics in which horses are trained not by a whip, but by him waving a flag.  There exists a communion between horse and man when Buck is in charge.

  Although Robert Redford speaks in several clips, the real star here is the totally engaging and soft spoken Buck.  As he waves the flags in the various clinics, he explains his philosophy.  He says that his job is to' help horses with people problems' not’ people with horse problems.'  He explains that 'everything is a dance:' meaning he and his horse in synch together..  You want to hear more of his folksy wisdom.

The film is not all warm and fuzzy.  There is a violent and very sad interlude in which a teary woman brings her 3 year old stallion to Buck to train.  The horse suffered a birth defect and as a result is a dangerous creature, at times biting and trampling his human keepers.  Buck handles this horse with respect and calming words. He patiently eases the wild horse back into its trailer which will transport the animal to its euthanization..  He never blames the animal.  Instead he believes the fault lies with the owner. 

  The director, Cindy Meehl , is a fashion designer turned artist.  This is her first film, and it won Best Documentary at Cannes.   She trails Buck to many of his 4 day clinics and includes historical shots of young Buck and his brother doing rope tricks as well as footage of horses being broken by cruel methods.  Then there is gentle Buck, hypnotically waving his flag to soothe and calm the animals, training them without the use of harsh methods.

The understated Buck never dwells on the childhood mistreatment which would have destroyed most people.  Somehow this wise man was able to transcend that past and turn it to uncanny understanding, compassion and success with horses.  We could all learn a lot from Buck’s life lessons.  You will remember Buck Brannamen for a long time after you leave the theater.