Ulee's Gold (1997)

94% of critics liked it
(49 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(2,621 ratings)

Peter Fonda received a richly deserved Oscar nomination for his superb performance as Ulysses "Ulee" Jackson, a Florida beekeeper forced to put his splintered family back together. Ulee is a Vietnam veteran whose wife died several years ago, a blow he's still learning to live with. His son Jimmy… More Peter Fonda received a richly deserved Oscar nomination for his superb performance as Ulysses "Ulee" Jackson, a Florida beekeeper forced to put his splintered family back together. Ulee is a Vietnam veteran whose wife died several years ago, a blow he's still learning to live with. His son Jimmy (Tom Wood) is in prison, and his daughter-in-law Helen (Christine Dunford) ran away, leaving Ulee to raise their two daughters by himself. Ulee is a quiet man who has a hard time displaying warmth and does not always deal well with the rebellious children put in his care. But he possesses an intense inner strength and a firm sense of loyalty and responsibility. One day Ulee gets a call from Jimmy; he's received word that Helen has fallen in with a pair of drug dealers and is in sad shape. While he doesn't much care for the idea, Ulee heads out to rescue her, only to discover the men who have her were Jimmy's partners in the robbery that put him behind bars; they threaten Ulee by saying if they're not given the $100,000 Jimmy has stashed away, they'll come after his daughters. Meanwhile, Ulee is forced to deal with Helen's painful withdrawal from drugs; he gets some help from Connie (Patricia Richardson), a divorced nurse who has recently moved into the neighborhood and seems to understand Ulee's lonely stoicism. Written and directed with subtle intelligence by Victor Nuñez, Ulee's Gold is a moving story about the trials and responsibilities of family ties, with Peter Fonda leading a fine cast that delivers uniformly impressive work. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Victor Nuñez
Written By: Victor Nuñez
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 13, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 1999
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
One of those unexpected pleasures that combines a low budget with a high emotional impact.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
A modest delight.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
This is no bakery-grade honey.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
There is a quality about this film's use of deliberation that comes at times wonderfully close to magic.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Nunez's script is thoughtful and intelligent, and it challenges his actors with fully-formed personalities for them to breathe life into...
Janet Maslin, New York Times
It would be accurate but barely adequate to call this the finest work of Mr. Fonda's career.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Deceptively old-fashioned, this is an emotionally quiet but rewarding portrait of a taciturn beekeeper (marvelously played by Peter Fonda, who resembles his dad) forced to emerged out of his solitary, sheltered life and face his family responsibilities
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
This low-key drama is played slow and sage.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Peter Fonda's portrayal of Florida beekeeper Ulee Jackson is a masterpiece of restraint, confident and finely etched, understated yet always in control.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
A craftwork of exceptional detail and nuance.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A profusion of perfect performances
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Fonda shines in an Oscar nominated performance.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
The acting styles are well-matched with Nunez's slow, deliberate direction.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Works well as a realistic look at a family in need of a second chance on life.
Susan Tavernetti, Palo Alto Weekly
Nunez manages to pull it together with such grace that you forgive his handful of out-of-focus shots.