Buck
“Buck” is touching without being sappy, honest without being harsh and, truly, an inspiring story following the life of a true American cowboy. Director Cindy Meehl presents her first documentary following the adventures of horse expert, Dan “Buck” Brannaman as he travels for forty weeks out of the year instructing horse clinics and making appearances across the U.S.
Dark tales of the childhood abuse Buck and his brother suffered beneath the showbiz rodeo surface their dad tried to portray are interwoven throughout the film. But Buck’s tone of voice, his way of conveying these stories to the audience, are told matter-of-factly with no intent to seek sympathy or pity. They’re used as place markers in the documentary and as horribly fascinating as they are, the stories take a back seat to the strength and calmness that Buck seems to exude and share with those he meets.
After losing his mother at such a young age and surviving years of physical abuse at the hands of his father, ultimately Buck becomes placed into a foster home where he is able to find stability, love and guidance. Although it was his forced obligation as a child to be a rodeo performer, he never let his love and his magic way with horses truly die.
His way of communicating with the horses serves as an outlet of expression and creates understanding between horse and owner, owner and self. As the the inspiration for the 1998 movie, “The Horse Whisperer”, the audience is let in on a behind-the-scenes look of how the film came to be and just how big of a part he and his own horses played. Buck’s knowledge of horses is something he admits to continually be learning about, but his power when working with them is something that comes as second nature.
He is a humble, straightforward, family man who adds quiet humor rather than dramatic emphasis to the highs and lows he has endured. He lets the stories speak for themselves. The film is filled with his good-natured anecdotes, sweet tales told by members of his family and colleagues and plenty of “golly gee” lingo to make “Buck” all the more endearing and personable.
It’s not just a story about horses. It’s a story about a man with a passionate devotion and how he is able to spin negative into positive. Watching “Buck” is like sitting around a campfire and listening to stories from a beloved relative. Each peek into his life, whether it is professional or personal, is heartwarming and entertaining. He doesn’t downplay his past but concentrates on embracing the present moment. Horse tales or not, the value of this message is definitely worthy of being documented.