Peter Fonda stars in and directs "The Hired Hand", acting with his frequent co-star and real- life good friend Warren Oates. Peter plays Harry Collings, a cowboy who abandoned his wife Hannah (Verna Bloom) and daughter (Megan Denver) years ago. For a long time he's been roaming the West with Arch (Oates) and Dan Griffen (Robert Pratt). But now he gets it into his head to return to the family homestead and work at mending his relationship. This he wants to do by doing odd jobs around the farm.
Alan Sharp, who also wrote "Night Moves", one of the great gems of the 1970s, concocted this narrative. As directed by Peter Fonda, it's done in a lyrical, beautiful way, but some viewers can just see certain things as pure self-indulgence on Fondas' part. However, there's no denying that this Western drama / character study, in its best moments, is a gentle, sensitive film. Granted, there is some ugliness and violence in the first act that will be paid off with a melodramatic finish to the third act. But it's so lovingly shot (by cinematography legend Vilmos Zsigmond) and wonderfully acted (especially by Bloom), that viewers can fall under its spell. There's an effectively odious supporting performance by folksy character actor Severn Darden as a dubious lawman named McVey.
At its core, it's a sober, thoughtful look at a man who must make a tough decision regarding loyalty.
Seven out of 10.
Alan Sharp, who also wrote "Night Moves", one of the great gems of the 1970s, concocted this narrative. As directed by Peter Fonda, it's done in a lyrical, beautiful way, but some viewers can just see certain things as pure self-indulgence on Fondas' part. However, there's no denying that this Western drama / character study, in its best moments, is a gentle, sensitive film. Granted, there is some ugliness and violence in the first act that will be paid off with a melodramatic finish to the third act. But it's so lovingly shot (by cinematography legend Vilmos Zsigmond) and wonderfully acted (especially by Bloom), that viewers can fall under its spell. There's an effectively odious supporting performance by folksy character actor Severn Darden as a dubious lawman named McVey.
At its core, it's a sober, thoughtful look at a man who must make a tough decision regarding loyalty.
Seven out of 10.