A textbook case on what a great movie is made of!

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2005)

SPOILER! My comments may be misconstrued by some to be a SPOILER! I had not seen this movie in years, and I bought the DVD while wandering around on the Internet. I sat down this evening fully expecting to see a truly great film, and my expectations were exceeded. What a wonderfully acted, directed, filmed an scored movie! Sweeping panoramas of Montana, with an equally beautiful score which could stand alone as a symphonic masterpiece. The acting, the depth of the characters, their interactions with each other, the unexpected plot twists, the majesty of realized love and the tragedy of its being just outside of one's reach, or the devastation of its loss. There is jealousy and favoritism that can erupt in and wound a family, and there is healing at its reconciliation. To reduce this film to the epitaph of "a love story" is a grossly misleading and undeserving characterization. It is an epic and dramatic depiction of human nature in its full spectrum of expression. It's all here! This film has it all!! If you have not seen it yet, do yourself a BIG favor and watch it. This thumb is WAY UP!