Michael Brown I have seen this movie many times, and it gets better each time. The scene when a hive is destroyed and Ulee recovers it is the scene that exposes the parallel themes of the film: keeping his family together, and the bees producing (credited in the end titles). The story has incredible tension, but the film seems almost relaxed; no dramatic music, no fast camera action, but a calm sense of reality. This feeling is accentuated by the beautiful photography. The natural lighting in the grocery store parking lot, and the slightly out-of-focus shot of nurse Hope at the truck with groceries are two shots that just knock me out. The last scene at the prison chokes me up even thinking about it. But with all the pain and trouble, the reward is---honey, Tupelo honey.

Michael Reed The title of the film "Ulee's Gold" does not inspire most movie-goers to run to their local theaters. As a skeptic, I gave the film a chance on a rainy Thursday evening & what a pleasant surprise. Those of us who enjoy superb acting, a good storyline & script, and a capable leading man are in for a treat. Standoffish, reclusive, & heartbroken beekeeper Ulee Jackson lives a simple life caring for his grandchildren in Florida. But the simple life is not without challenges. Ulee is forced to face his jailed son's crime & cohorts, a daughter-in-law on drugs, raising girls coming of age, & a new neighbor with a big heart. Through it all, Ulee keeps a stiff upper lip & a strong familial presence in order to right the wrongs & keep his simple life whole. Peter Fonda outdoes himself in the title role & gives you reason to believe in Ulee's fortitude. Jessica Biel & Patricia Richardson are more than capable in their respective supporting roles. If you get a chance, give "Ulee's Gold" a gander. You won't be disappointed. Platinum,....simply platinum.

ttbird2000 "Peter Fonda was never an action star"... So said Roger Ebert. That captures the essence of Fonda's performance, which is also the essence of "Ulee's Gold". There are those actors of past and present who visibly try to get you to notice them - Alec Baldwin, Robin WIlliams, and Marlon Brando are examples. There are those who do not try, and yet they still attract your attention - Gary Cooper, Steve McQueen, Randolph Scott - because of their charisma in what they say and do, regardless of how seldom they say and do it. Then there is the rarest of all actors - those who seem to be trying to get you to NOT notice them. Then, when their time to shine (their "close up", if you will) come along, you not only notice them, but you remember them. The only two actors I have known to do this are Spencer Tracy and Henry Fonda. In "Ulee's Gold" Peter Fonda shows he too has this ability, even if he seldom gets a chance to use it. In viewing this film, I saw much of Henry in Peter's performance. If you were to view "My Darling CLementine" you would also see the parallels in Henry's performance - how he calmly subdues a drunkard who is shooting up a saloon, and the easily Peter calmly walks into a nest of agitated bees. And the way both men act when harm threatens their family - they are calm and patient on the outside, but only until it is time to act. Then, they perform acts of cunning and bravery. Most of the time, they don't seem to be doing much at all. But you must still watch them because when they do something, you don't want to miss it. Henry made a number of exceptional films over a 45 year career - many good, but none wildly phenomenal. Peter mad the most influential film of his generation ("Easy Rider") while still in his 20s and has not come close to that level since. With "Easy Rider", we knew Peter was an icon. With "Ulee's Gold", we discover that he is Henry's son.

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.