Buck (2011)

88% of critics liked it
(94 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(3,666 ratings)

"Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you may not like what you see. Sometimes, you will." So says Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems. BUCK, a richly textured and… More "Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you may not like what you see. Sometimes, you will." So says Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems. BUCK, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real life "horse-whisperer", he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment. Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses - and people - with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life. A truly American story about an unsung hero, Buck is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds. -- (C) IFC Films

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Cindy Meehl
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jun 17, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Oct 4, 2011
Studio: IFC Films

Critic Reviews

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Cynics beware: Darned tootin', we're home on the range here, where seldom is heard a discouraging word and don't nobody be yappin' that Buck is too good to be true.
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
Interviews with horse people, Brannaman's very funny, elderly stepmother and director Robert Redford help round out the doc, but all we really need is time with Brannaman, and Meehl doesn't disappoint.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
The result is a portrait that expertly mirrors its subject: Buck is shaped with the same economy, restraint, and unfussiness as the man, to unexpectedly inspiring effect.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
One of the most valuable things a film can do is to take you to a place or introduce you to a character you haven't encountered before.
David Edelstein, NPR
It's well and good to hear Buck and others tell his story, but the film wouldn't come to much if you didn't feel the connection between his present and past in every frame.
John DeFore, Washington Post
You don't have to be a horse nut to fall for "Buck," one of those rare documentaries whose subject is so inherently fascinating that a fictional character could hardly compete.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
As enjoyable a documentary as I've seen this past couple of years...
Blake Howard, 2UE That Movie Show
Real life trumps 'reel life' in this fantastic, sweet, personal, human story about this true eccentric character.
Catherine Shoard, Guardian [UK]
There's a whole heap of Americana to wallow in here, but it's testimony to the director and subject that Buck still trots along at such a lick.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
An unforgettable film about an extraordinary man.
Allan Hunter, Daily Express
A straightforward film but one in which Brannaman's gift and modesty shine through.
Ashley Clark, Little White Lies
Singular in style and impressively reflective of its protagonist's nature. Universal in theme, but may struggle to find a wide audience.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Entertaining and emotionally engaging documentary with a powerful, important message delivered by an immensely likeable central character.
Derek Adams, Time Out
If you have even a passing interest in horses, you may find yourself smitten with this meditative doc.
Eve Barlow, Empire Magazine
A touching, if occasionally overwrought look at the inspiration behind Robert Redford's Horse Whisperer.
Sam Wigley, Total Film
Breaking the cycle of abuse, Buck's deep-rooted respect for these dignified animals is truly inspiring.
CJ Johnson, ABC Radio (Australia)
It would be a very hard-hearted person indeed who would not warm to the gentle charms of ... this low-key, fondly personal look at one of life's gifted but hardly world-famous personages.
Tim Martain, The Mercury
Imagine the Dude from The Big Lebowski if he had been raised on a dude ranch.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
The great pleasure of this film is that we meet Buck the man as well as Buck the horseman; it's a rounded and balanced doco, a rich, complex, miniature biopic of Buck who bucked his fate
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
I was entranced and intensely moved by this marvellous and unforgettable documentary

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Reid V

Sometimes people's stories are just leaps and bounds better than anything Hollywood could produce. This doc is a mesmerizing and heart-warming look at a good and gentle man who took the pain of his childhood and turned it into grace. It may sound cliche and boring, but I'll… More
Sometimes people's stories are just leaps and bounds better than anything Hollywood could produce. This doc is a mesmerizing and heart-warming look at a good and gentle man who took the pain of his childhood and turned it into grace. It may sound cliche and boring, but I'll be damned it you can watch it and not be moved.
Matthew S

This documentary reveals the power of firm tenderness and trust -- not just with horses, but with people too.
Greg S

Documentary glibly but accurately described as profiling "a real-life horse whisperer." The story here is how a gifted young cowboy overcame childhood abuse and applied the lessons he learned to training horses. It's an inspirational movie, with all the lack of… More
Documentary glibly but accurately described as profiling "a real-life horse whisperer." The story here is how a gifted young cowboy overcame childhood abuse and applied the lessons he learned to training horses. It's an inspirational movie, with all the lack of conflict or subtlety that word implies, but it holds your interest and is definitely worth a watch if you're interested in either horse training or child abuse.
Jeff T

A lovely documentary about the guy who, evidently, THE HORSE WHISPERER is loosely based upon, BUCK may not sound like the kind of movie that makes you want to jump up, get to the theatre and buy yourself a ticket. It didn't to me either. But turns out I was very, very wrong.… More
A lovely documentary about the guy who, evidently, THE HORSE WHISPERER is loosely based upon, BUCK may not sound like the kind of movie that makes you want to jump up, get to the theatre and buy yourself a ticket. It didn't to me either. But turns out I was very, very wrong. This is a beautiful portrait of a good, kind and gentle man who rose out of difficult circumstances to emerge as a whole and terrific person. It is also a movie full of great humor and humanity. And lots and lots of horses. I can't help but suggest that you will very possibly be as surprised by this wonderful movie as I was, and also slightly changed. Because 90 minutes spent with a person this magnetic, and this innately good, can't help but seep into you like water on parched earth. Give Buck a shot. He completely deserves it.
Christopher H

One of the best and most inspiring documentaries I have seen in a long time. Buck shows a side of human compassion that is rarely seen these days, which is emotionally moving while entertaining. I hope Buck can hold on to enough steam to ride into the Oscars next year, because it is… More
One of the best and most inspiring documentaries I have seen in a long time. Buck shows a side of human compassion that is rarely seen these days, which is emotionally moving while entertaining. I hope Buck can hold on to enough steam to ride into the Oscars next year, because it is definitely my top pick thus far. With a stellar soundtrack and a natural production quality, no matter what your stance on horses or cowboys, everyone should see this film.
Wu C

Buck's philosophies could apply to many aspects of life. Get ready to see the world's best horseman.