Sweetgrass

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A documentary about the part of Brokeback Mountain that no one remembers: the sheep herding.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: The last cowboys in America. No, really, they were the last ones to ever do this particular sheep herding journey through Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth mountains. And by the way, they're not gay.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Stop! You're probably wondering why I went to a movie about sheep being herded, and the reason is, I have no idea.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Some sheep sure do know how to deadpan! Which is just one example of how this film with almost no dialogue, and a lot of nothing going on, actually finds quite a bit of humor in even the most seemingly mundane aspects of the farm and the wilderness.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Sometimes you do feel really sorry for the sheep. Especially when they're just born, and are immediately dragged across the floor to be separated from their mommies. But also right after that, when they get other young lambs thrown on top of them, as they attempt to take their first breath of life.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: As much as you're probably not going to like it, I wouldn't be surprised if the Awards givers do. Especially those Indy Spirit nominators.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: There is a young, dumb cowboy, who seems to have a vocabulary made up of only about ten words, nine of which are expletives, and the tenth of which is "the", and in one scene this macho-man's man breaks into tears about how awful this job is, as the camera pans the majestic scenery that surrounds him. Clearly the filmmaker is pointing out the irony, so even though he's crying, it's okay for you to laugh.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I hate to say this about a film that is so slow and long for what it has to say but, the directing is truly excellent. Picturesque shots that don't move or change for up to 10 minutes at a time manage to hold your attention like some kind of meditation that has just been forced upon you.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Aside from this depicting a piece of history that has recently (2003) become an obsolete practice, there is no story, and most of the dialogue sounds like, "Baaaaah"-- or some variation thereof. (I never realized before how often sheep Moo, like they're cows.)

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Getting sheared looks really relaxing. I would like to try that someday. Or maybe I could just get a massage.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdC2OvtzdE8

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