The Ranger, The Cook and a Hole In the Sky
by John Kent Harrison
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jerry O'Connell, Ricky Jay, Sam ElliottDirector: John Kent Harrison
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-02-08
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Platinum Disc
Movie Reviews of The Ranger, The Cook and a Hole In the Sky
Movie Review: Better Than "A River Runs Through It"! Superb Movie!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I would like to make it clear: this is not a western or adventure story.
As a fan, like many Montanans, of Norman Maclean I could not be more happy with this movie--unless it had actually been filmed on location here in Montana. The short story about the last summer Maclean worked for the Forrest Service--1919--is followed almost to the word in the movie. Sam Elliot gives one of his finest performances, while Jerry O'Connell performance as Norman Maclean far outshines that given by Craig Sheffer in "A River Runs Through It;" all be it, O'Connell is clearly not 17 years old.
As a movie about life in Montana, post World War I, and about the fledgling Forrest Service, I have viewed few better movies--if any. While Norman Maclean is shown as sturdy, conservative, almost wholesome in "A River Runs Through It," in "The Ranger, the Cook, and a Hole in the Sky," Norman is cocky, ambitious, daring, wild, dangerous, funny, and part of the "crew." The movie starts out late in the summer of 1919, with Sam Elliot playing District Forrest Ranger Bill Bell and Jerry O'Connell playing a 17 year old Norman Maclean working for the Forrest Service crew, responsible for fire watch, trail and telephone wire maintenance, back country clean up, and other odd jobs. Maclean is learning how to use dynamite from an old crewman (deftly played by Stargate SG-1's Don Davis), and basically causing trouble for everyone else. After one of Maclean's run-ins with the cook, Bill sends Norman up to the look out to watch for lightening strikes. All the while Bill and the cook are scheming up a plan to get even with the card sharks in Hamilton at the end of the season. Once the plan is laid out, Maclean rebelliously hikes from the camp all the way to Hamilton (over 40 miles) in one day--and without drinking water. After indulging in ice cream sodas, Maclean passes out and ends up in a "sporting house" room sleeping "it off." Then comes the big poker game, in which Bell's crew "swipes" the stakes and have themselves a good fight. After the cook gets rolled, Maclean gives his share of the booty to get back to Butte. As for the "hole in the sky," I recommend the viewer pay close attention to the movie, or read the short story.
I highly recommend this movie for the whole family as just great, outdoors, good-old days fun and entertainment. And the scenery, while not Montana, is beautiful. But, I wish it was in wide screen.
Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
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