What a beautiful film. For 30 minutes, I was captivated and charmed by this little heartwarming story. The period-accurate sets, cinematography and visuals, along with the wonderful cast made falling into this story feel very natural.
The most unexpected aspect of Calf Rope was the near immediate connection I felt with the characters. The affection between Brandon and his grandfather, and Brandon's belief that his grandfather is the most wonderful, powerful person in the world reminded me of what it was like as a small boy to see my grandfather as an unstoppable hero, the most loving and compassionate person in the world.
Brandon has a vague understanding of the flaws of his grandfather, but his opinion is unchanged.
The supporting cast was terrific, especially as the story came to a close. The emotions conveyed drew me into the final moments. I did not expect to have tears in my own eyes in such a short span of time.
The story was told in such a way that I never felt it was too slow, nor rushed; In fact, I was unaware of the passage of time as I watched. The content is wholesome, imbued with powerful a powerful message and evocative imagery. I would certainly recommend for families to enjoy together.
Lastly, the score was wonderful. Sounds of joy, imagination, and excitement, providing the audience with same triumphant emotions Brandon experienced as he watched his grandfather be the amazing, magical man he was. The composer choose the best instrumentation for the film, taking us back in time with the story. The score provided the proper context for the scenes, becoming its own character at the appropriate moments, while being understated and subdued in the most crucial heartfelt moments of the story, providing the heartbeat of Calf Rope.
Lovely film.
