Film: "Buck" (2011)

[Bob Pr.]

"Buck" (2011) 88 min. Genre: documentary (animal training)
IMDb rates it 6.8 of 10: Buck (2011) - IMDb
87% of Rotten Tomatoes critics judge it ripe: Buck - Rotten Tomatoes
Roger Ebert rates it 3 of 4 stars: Buck :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews
Trailer: IMDb Video: Buck

This is a fascinating documentary about the adult professional life of a man (Buck Brannaman)
who, along with his slightly older brother (Smokey), was repeatedly physcially abused by their
father. Fortunately, a school coach saw their wounds and the boys were placed in a good foster
home.

The father of Buck and Smokey had them perform a roping act in cowboy circuits of shows.
After their father lost his custody, Buck continued his interest in horses and was influenced by
2 horse trainers with a different approach and with whom he trained. Buck extended their
teaching and helped develop his non-punitive style of "breaking" and training horses. Buck,
according to Robert Redford who makes cameo appearances, served as the extremely valuable
consultant for the movie, "The Horse Whisperer;" this film was based on a novel of the
same name that was sparked by Buck's teaching.

Anyone interested in animal training will find this film of great interest. Although dealing
strictly with horses, it may stand in opposition to some of Cesar's premises and
recommendations about dogs.

I have a professional interest in the intergenerational transmission process (the way certain
behaviors, e.g., child abuse, etc.) are often passed down through the generations. As with
a number of others on IMDb's message board for this film, while I rejoice in Buck's breaking
free from the chains of this terrible misfortune and transforming the pains he suffered into a
way of helping horses and their owners, I do wish we could have heard how his brother,
Smokey, and Smokey's family fared. Was this not mentioned because Smokey continued
the process of child abuse he'd suffered? And I'm also very curious about the background
of Buck's father--had he also been physically abused as a child or where did this behavior
come from?

But this movie focuses on Buck's transformation and how to work with horses. It's very
touching--both warm and uplifting as well as with sad moments.

As a movie, I rate it 8/10. But for dog and horse lovers (& M&F therapists): 10/10--
a must see.

[Paddysmom]

I'm glad you've seen it. I'm hoping to see it very soon. And I have a feeling I'll come away with thoughts similar to this:

I have a professional interest in the intergenerational transmission process (the way certain
behaviors, e.g., child abuse, etc.) are often passed down through the generations. As with
a number of others on IMDb's message board for this film, while I rejoice in Buck's breaking
free from the chains of this terrible misfortune and transforming the pains he suffered into a
way of helping horses and their owners, I do wish we could have heard how his brother,
Smokey, and Smokey's family fared. Was this not mentioned because Smokey continued
the process of child abuse he'd suffered? And I'm also very curious about the background
of Buck's father--had he also been physically abused as a child or where did this behavior
come from?