Our Review
TBD, 1:45 Some content may not be suitable for young children and could include mild violence, stronger language and some sexual situations/dialogue
Jeanne: GREEN AND GOLD is the lovely little film we can all use right now. It tells the inspiring story of a Wisconsin dairy farmer named Buck (Craig T. Nelson) who, along with his granddaughter, Jenny (Madison Lawlor), fights to save his four-generation farm.
In conjunction with Culver’s and the Green Bay Packers, brothers Anders and Davin Lindwall have developed a moving tribute to the hardworking farmers who continue to get up every day to supply their fellow Americans with the food we all need to survive. Anders, who directs GREEN AND GOLD, and Davin, who produced, are the grandsons of a dairy farmer and they have dedicated their efforts in honor of America’s farming community.
Buck is deeply in debt and struggling to avoid foreclosure. Jenny, who stayed behind in Door County to help instead of going to college, loves her grandfather’s farm, but dreams of becoming a singer/songwriter. She performs in a local bar whenever she has the opportunity. When she meets Billy (Brendan Sklenar), an already established musician from her hometown, Jenny hopes this may be her big break.
In the meantime, in a last-ditch effort to save his cherished farm, Buck makes a bet with his mortgage lender that his favorite team, the Green Bay Packers, will win the Super Bowl. As the football season progresses, the Packers’ chances of making it to the ultimate game are touch and go.
The plight of small farms has been well documented over recent years. Mega corporate outfits have displaced many of the dedicated people who have given their lives to sensible farming, willing to eke out a livelihood which is barely sustainable. GREEN AND GOLD does an exemplary job of highlighting the problems these heroes face on a daily basis --- and most importantly --- how the community bands together to protect and save them.
Nelson has had a long and illustrious career, and Buck is a role he was born to play. He is perfectly cast as the wily curmudgeon hell bent on retaining his precious farm --- no matter the cost. But Buck is also a warm and loving husband, grandfather and friend, who would do anything for the people he loves. And Nelson makes us believe all the good things about Buck.
The music in GREEN AND GOLD is a very important component, and Lawlor has a vital role in making the music another character. Her beautiful rendition of “Remind Me”, an emotional song penned by Courtney Hartman and S. Carey, who are also responsible for the original score, is a pivotal moment in GREEN AND GOLD.
The Lindwall brothers have created a meaningful moviegoing experience. Not only is GREEN AND GOLD a film that packs an emotional wallop, but sadly, it is also the final performance by the late M. Emmet Walsh, a wonderful actor who has been a fixture in Hollywood for decades with over 200 films and TV series to his credit.
Opinion: Mild See It Now!
David: You don’t have to be a Green Bay Packers fan to like GREEN AND GOLD, just someone who believes in the power of hope. Craig T. Nelson is all about that sentiment playing a crusty farmer named Buck. Livestock, pigs and chickens make up much of his farm, but he is in danger of foreclosure by the local bank.
Hoping to raise money for his overdue loan, Buck makes a bet with a bank executive that the Packers will win the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Buck’s granddaughter, Jenny (Madison Lawlor), dreams of becoming a singing star. Billy Reed (Brendan Sklenar) is connected in the music industry and provides a tape of Jenny’s singing to his management team, giving Jenny hope. However, she is a major cog in keeping the farm operating.
Written by a quartet of scribes (Steven Shafer, Michael Graf, Missy Mareau Garcia, and director Anders Lindwall),
GREEN AND GOLD is an engrossing story based on actual events. When Jenny sings on the local radio station, the entire town is tuned in on their transistors and table models. What ensues is the epitome of hope realized.
The film represents Lindwall’s feature film debut. What I hadn’t known is that the Packers are the only professional football team that is community-owned with more than half a million shareholders. This fact plays into the involvement and cooperation of the local populace with the filming of GREEN AND GOLD.
Nelson’s performance is spot on. Despite his character’s grumpy demeanor, we still like him. Nelson himself considers this his favorite career role. And Lawlor’s Jenny is truly an engaging turn. GREEN AND GOLD marks the last film of veteran character actor M. Emmet Walsh who died in March of 2024
The film is a tribute to American farmers’ work ethic. The Lindwall brothers drew on their experiences from their grandfather’s dairy farm, and the end result, GREEN AND GOLD, is a quality way of beginning this year in film.
Opinion: See It Now!