Daltry Calhoun (2005)

Simply Perfect

hyped garbage

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Daltry Calhoun is a self-made man, riding to the top of the business world with his hybrid grass seed, and re-inventing himself along the way. But this "new man" will be put to the test when his old girlfriend shows up with his 14 year old daughter at the same time that his business is tottering on the edge of the abyss.In actuality, this film is more about Daltry's daughter, who narrates much of the events in his life. It is an uncomplicated story line with LOTS of strange and complicated twists – just like life. This film is listed as a "Comedy", but would best be described as "Light Drama", marinated with comedy. It covers some very serious and dramatic events, but with a matter-of-fact lightness, rather than a flippant or ponderous or judgmental attitude. Another director would probably have attempted to wring out every drop of emotion out of the story, which would have made the film a cheap, melodramatic over-the-top waste. THIS director did NOT do that.The entire cast gives very solid performances and creates real, lovable, endearing characters, with some truly moving and memorable moments. The biggest problem is that you want more when the movie ends. The script is a joy, leading you down some stereotypical paths then nimbly adding interesting tidbits of information to make you change direction. It has an honest look to it, compliments of filming in a real southern town. Add to this an amazing collection of music with some very new ways to interpret old songs, and you have a solid, well done movie.It is not in the "Oscar" group. But if you are looking for some pleasant entertainment, go get your popcorn, kick back, and enjoy. Add another ½ star if you are a big country-western music fan.

Katrina Holden Bronson, daughter of actor Charles Bronson, wrote and directed this unbearable hick comedy about a good ol' boy sod & seed salesman in Tennessee named Daltry Calhoun, whose TV commercials--with their tag line, "Get high on grass--the legal kind!"--have made him a local icon; unfortunately, strange spurts of growth on Calhoun's own land are causing him business problems, while his ex-girlfriend and their illegitimate teenage daughter, down on their luck, have moved themselves into the main house. Sorry film is just a bushel of half-baked, half-finished comic scenes, leaving some good actors stranded and top production values wasted. Quentin Tarantino served as co-executive producer, perhaps without getting a good look at Bronson's tatty script, which is rife with Sophie Traub's 'wise' narration in an attempt to plug up the holes. Bronson has a good ear for soundtrack selections, and Juliette Lewis tries to liven things up as a store clerk with the hots for Johnny Knoxville's Daltry, but end results are forced and fatuous. NO STARS from ****

Wow, I have seen Lifetime movies, (and I'm a straight male) that have caught my interest for more time. This movie really went nowhere with me, and I do not think it was well cast at all. Johnny Knoxville and David Koechner doing a serious movie really bothered me. Furthermore, on the DVD case, I believe it called the movie a comedy. Whatever was funny about this movie had to be unintentional, as I only chuckled twice during the whole thing. If you like Johnny Knoxville watch MTV or The Ringer to see some better comedic work. Otherwise, unless you are looking for a snoozefest, get this one. I personally think this movie getting a three is a nice gesture on my part.

Going into "Daltry Calhoun", I really didn't know what to expect. I've been a long time fan of it's star, the likable Johnny Knoxville, and knew it was something of a comedy, but that was about it. I surely wasn't expecting the type of movie that I got, but it was by no means a let down either. "Daltry Calhoun", While named after Knoxville's character, is actually more the coming of age story of Calhoun's daughter, June, as she's reunited with her father. The story is told from her point of view and is very pleasant, heartwarming and damn near a "family" type of film, save for a bit of bad language (probably the only time you'll hear "family" describing a film with Quentin Tarantino's name on the cover). It almost reminded me of a more contemporary and far less cheesy version of "My Girl", which will leave most of it's audience going "awww." as oppose to "haha". But for the kind of movie it was, a light sentimental comedy, I found it quite enjoyable.