Of the Land

Rating: 10/10 (27 February 2015)

I always look forward to Kevin Costner movies. But this was a Disney, so I was hoping it wouldn't be all gooey and sappy. Because farm life is not that. Especially in small towns, like McFarland, in the Central Valley of CA. Now that I've seen the movie, I don't know where to start. The emotions that rippled through my mind and body are still over-whelming me days later. First, GOOD JOB!! EVERYONE involved! I can't wait to see it again--next week. What stuck me personally was my emotion from the beginning. My eyes, from the start, were anticipating tears and welling up when the most subtle things were being portrayed. There seemed to be so much heart right from the beginning. That snot-nosed uppity kid that--OK, no spoilers--but I wonder what he thinks now! Or where he is. Assuming he really existed. In any true story, dialogue and stories necessitate some embellishment. But never for a moment did I consider that while being in the captivation of this movie. Thank you Kevin Costner for being involved in the development, because your personal standards have put the authenticity into this film. I actually knew an FFA boy from McFarland, back in 1954. He had the grand champion steer at the LA Great Western Livestock Show. OK, maybe not pertinent, but I got familiar with a lot of those small wonderful towns in the CV. OMGoodness! Great movie! Then the credits at the end! A continuing of the great story. And the audience applauded!! So I guess many felt what I was feeling.