Hal Holbrook delivers a career-crowning performance as feisty Tennessee farmer Abner Meecham, who escapes a nursing home and returns to his rural homestead, only to discover another family has taken up residence. Adding insult to injury, the interlopers are ne'er-do-well Lonzo Choat (Ray McKinnon), his wife Ludie (Carrie Preston) and daughter Pamela (Mia Wasikowska). Abner defiantly sets up residence in an abandoned shack on the property and begins a war of words and temperament to wrest his property from Lonzo's hands. Writer-director Scott Teems adapts a story by William Gay and weaves a richly atmospheric Southern tale, resisting easy sentimentality and creating characters that are complex and true. Music score by Michael Penn. With Dixie Carter, Barry Corbin, Walton Goggins. (US 2009) 109 min.
Hal Holbrook delivers a career-crowning performance as feisty Tennessee farmer Abner Meecham, who escapes a nursing home and returns to his rural homestead, only to discover another family has taken up residence. Adding insult to injury, the interlopers are ne'er-do-well Lonzo Choat (Ray McKinnon), his wife Ludie (Carrie Preston) and daughter Pamela (Mia Wasikowska). Abner defiantly sets up residence in an abandoned shack on the property and begins a war of words and temperament to wrest his property from Lonzo's hands. Writer-director Scott Teems adapts a story by William Gay and weaves a richly atmospheric Southern tale, resisting easy sentimentality and creating characters that are complex and true. Music score by Michael Penn. With Dixie Carter, Barry Corbin, Walton Goggins. (US 2009) 109 min.