Herman U.S.A.

While a notch above the movies that Don Knotts used to do, back in the 1960's, this fictionalized account of a true incident has the same sort of "small town" appeal which once filled drive-in movies with rows of pick-up trucks. As a whole, the movie isn't notable, but it has a number of good parts, both in terms of dialog and acting, and it leaves you with the kind of warm-and-fuzzy feeling you don't often find in movies these days.

Most people that have seen this movie (which sure doesn't say a lot) are from somewhere in Minnesota. Its not a very well known movie. My grandma grew up in New Germany, MN. Her husband grew up in Waconia, as I have, and they know people who are in the movie.. Heck they are probably distantly related to half of them. So its easy for people from.. lets just say Camden, Waconia, or Laketown, or even Hassen Township to like this movie because they know people and think its hilarious that they are in the movie. But if you aren't from around here, you might not like the movie as much. That's just my view on this.

But, I thought it was hilarious, because my old bus driver, Goodie was in the movie.. I will never think of him the same way again!!

The movie was based on a true story about Herman, MN that happened in 1994 when the town got that "15 minutes of fame".

The city leaders were looking to attract businesses to Herman. A survey showed young people, especially women, were moving out of the area for jobs. A Fargo TV station and a Mpls. newspaper article mentioned the fact about the lopsided ratio of men to women.

This is the spark that got fueled. Other media took the ball and ran with the headlines that Herman was advertising for women to come visit.

The movie has great countryside scenery (filmed around New Germany, MN. although, the real Herman is very similar).

The movie makers went a little too cliché depicting 'the farmer'--- bib overalls, slopping the hogs. A little too hillbilly. Today's farmers are better than that. The most accurate scene was when they were cutting hay.

Overall, the movie is interesting and fun.

One unfortunate fact for the movie's opening weekend is that it was right after the 9/11 attack. Not a lot of enthusiasm for Americans to go out those early days after. Attendance in theaters across the country was down.

Given that this film was not picked up by a distributer for release soon after its completion, I was pleasantly surprised at its overall quality. It is a simplistic story but holds your attention very well. The first half is very funny and then shifts into a heartwarming tug at your heartstrings. General comments that I heard upon leaving the theater were very positive. Striking aerial and land based farmland scenery.

This is a pleasant enough movie about a small town full of unmarried guys. They advertise to encourage single girls to visit the town but are overwhelmed by the number who turn up. The movie contains some interesting character studies, but to the average movie goer, it probably paints a poor picture of country folk, especially the men. The is a warts and all look at the town, especially the guys. They seem to be a sorry lot even when the bus loads of women arrive. There is some irony depicted and perhaps we should all look closer at the things we have before looking elsewhere.