Winter People

I just watched this movie and what a well-spent evening!Thoroughly enjoyable.I can think of no flaws whatever with this film. The scenery is beautiful as well. Another plus.I can't imagine anyone not being pleased with their experience in seeing this film. It has drama,romance and wonderful relationship studies,and development.

I don't know what else to say without rambling! I can't believe IMDb insists that you must meet a minimum required amount of sentences to post a comment,SHEEZ! Just be sure not to pass this one up if you get a chance to see it. Fotunately my library had it. I don't remember ever hearing of it before.

Deceptively marketed as a "Deliverance" retread, it has, in fact, more in common with Peter Weir's "Witness" and Richard Pearce's "Heartland". Kurt Russell plays Wayland Jackson, a humble widower who begins a new life with his daughter in North Carolina. When he meets and falls in love with Collie Wright (Kelly McGilis), he must prove his mettle to her father (Lloyd Bridges) and deal with local animosity towards him.

Director Ted Kotcheff, who also made "First Blood", "Uncommon Valor" and the brilliant "Split Image", a scathing look at a religious sect, brings his considerable experience with personal politics to this well made, beautifully acted, snow-bound drama.

The film's last act is where the violence flares and the stage is set for several bloody, taut altercations. The film, however, never loses sight of its personal story and focuses closely on the courage and resilience of good, honest folk.

John Scott's score is hypnotic.

Wayland Jackson (Kurt Russell) and his young daughter leave Pennsylvania and movie to rural Appalachia in 1934. Now considering the poverty in this part of the world, particularly during the Depression, this is an odd decision to say the least. On their way, Wayland's truck breaks down and he and the daughter make their way to a local cabin where Collie (Kelly McGillis) and her baby live. She lets them stay a bit, as it's cold outside and soon the pair fall in love. However, the baby's ne'er-do-well and extremely violent father returns for one of his rare visits...and he nearly kills Wayland and attempts to force himself on Collie. What's next? Well, a LOT...including threats from the violent man's very violent and awful clan.

The film has some remarkably good and restrained acting. In addition to Russell and McGillis doing a fine job, the oddly named Jeffrey Meek is exceptional as the evil father of the baby and the rest of the supporting cast (including Lloyd Bridges and Mitchell Ryan) are superb.

As for the story, it's compelling and has many twists and turns. You might not like these...but they do make for a story that is hard to stop watching.

Overall, a very well done film....not always pleasant but exceptional nonetheless...and far better than its current 6.3 rating on IMDB.

While I won't go to the hyperbole of this being the best film ever, it is certainly one of the more satisfying. The fact that you can tell a compelling human story without overwhelming the audience with action (and I like action flicks as well as anyone) is noteworthy. It is not your typical story - it's got real conflict, real relationships (both good and bad), and a sense of authenticity that is lacking in many films. The setting is not one that is common, although it would be contemporary with 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. It sheds some light on a part of the country that is not familiar to most of us. It reflects some thought in fleshing out real characters, instead of relying on portraying stereotypical backwoods people. While many of the actors have gone on to other roles, the movie retains the allure of watching real people. It should be considered a high mark in the careers of both Kurt Russell and Kelly McGillis. It is one of those rare movies that I appreciate watching each time.

This is a film that took me by surprise. Impressive in its delicate sensiblity of the human emotions. This is best illustrated at Kurt Russell's outburst when one of his clocks is destroyed. Well directed and well acted. One of Russell's best acting performances. Not an action film, or anything to really rock you in your seat but a powerful human story. A+