Calf Rope

Brad's story reminds me of growing up in central PA in the 70's and my relationship with my grandfather. He wasn't a cowboy but he carried himself like the cowboys that I watched on Saturday afternoon TV.

Bradley Hawkins and his team did quite well on this project. As a filmmaker, one of the hardest things to do is pull off a period piece without compromising authenticity and Calf Rope does it masterfully.

The story itself is heartfelt and timeless. It centers around a young boy and his grandfather in the mid 1960's in Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. This wonderful cast is led by youngster Lukas Barnett who shines as Brandon, a young man obsessed with cowboys and his Grandfather. The Grandfather, Mac, is played brilliantly by Gorman Ruggiero. The entire cast understood and flawlessly executed the vernacular from that time.

While watching this film, the same word kept popping in my head throughout. Authentic. From the props, to the wardrobe... really the entire production design was spot on. Again, a tall task when attempting a period piece. Exemplary work by Lyndsey Hinkle.

It's quite difficult to find really any flaws with this film. Cheers to Bradley Hawkins and his team.

Calf Rope does an impressive jobs of telling a complete, compelling story in less than a half hour. From the first scene, I was drawn into the lives of the characters, transported to a different - and yet familiar - time. The acting is masterful, the costuming superb. I particularly enjoyed the performances of Lukas Barnett as Brandon and Avery Kellington as Corah. The only thing that I wish was different about this movie was that it was longer; I want to spend more time in this world.

Central to the plot is the relationship between a young boy (Brandon) and his Grandad Mac. The two bond over the course of a summer as the youngster grows more and more curious about Mac's rodeo past. How could this guy who is known for relentless tickling and occasional troublemaking (especially with Mom and Grandma) be a real-life cowboy? Yes, Calf Rope is essentially a coming of age story; unabashedly heavy on nostalgia. The beauty of the short is how well it is executed by Bradley and Sarah Hawkins, the father/daughter co-founders of their own film production company, Dadley Productions. They have gathered some impressive talent. Lyndsey Hinkle's 1960s production design is impeccable. Director of Photography, Sofia Monzerratt, is equally adept at capturing action-packed rodeo sequences, as she is tender moments between generations. Ms. Monzerratt's camerawork, Bradley Hawkins' direction and Ryan Geesaman's editing of the calf roping and cattle auction scenes, in particular, are exceptional. The casting is spot on. The connection between Lukas Barnett as Brandon and Gorman Ruggiero as Mac is clear the very first time he sets those adoring eyes upon his Grandad. The screenplay (by Jake Stetler and Bradley Hawkins) is equally funny and poignant.

Ultimately it doesn't matter if you are a cowboy at heart, Calf Rope is a powerful tale about legacy, love, and what ties people together.

The cast and crew of this Dadley Production really put together something special with this short.

"Calf Rope" has one overarching spirit of legacy throughout the half-hour shirt film, that will leave you thinking of your own family and how you want your legacy to be remembered. It's clear that everyone working on this project knew this one objective and held tight to it. It has heart and soul that the cast portrays on screen exceptionally with little Lucas Barnett having an amazing debut!!!!

I can't say enough good things about this film - so just go, see it when at all possible, and feel the movie magic for yourself!