The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter (Brolin/McBride - dir. Jody Hill) - 7/6/18 - Blu-ray Forum

Hoke Moseley · 06-27-2018, 07:53 PM

...on Netflix.

Quote:

Buck Ferguson (Josh Brolin), famous for hunting whitetail deer, plans a special episode of his hunting show around a bonding weekend with his estranged son, Jaden (Montana Jordan). With trusted - but hapless - cameraman and friend Don (Danny McBride) in tow, Buck sets out for what soon becomes an unexpectedly epic adventure of father-son reconnection in the great outdoors.

Looks like a lot of fun.

jacobsever · 06-27-2018, 07:58 PM

Idk about this one. I loved Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals. But with this, they seem to be trying to make a feel-good, light hearted, emotionally uplifting story. The reason I like their other projects are because of the crass, rude humor and over-the-top ridiculousness.

Foggy · 06-27-2018, 08:02 PM

Observe and Report is pretty underrated, but I’m not feeling this one.

Splatterpunk · 07-12-2018, 01:00 PM

Jody Hill, along with his typical collaborators Danny McBride and David Gordon Green, has become one of my favorite film and TV creators over the last decade. THE FOOT FIST WAY, OBSERVE AND REPORT, EASTBOUND AND DOWN, and VICE PRINCIPALS are all some of the best darkly humorous works of recent memory. Hill’s latest film, THE LEGACY OF A WHITETAIL DEER HUNTER debuted on Netflix last week. Unfortunately, it is his weakest effort to date. Not nearly as absurd as his previous efforts, it is undone by tonal inconsistency. This is ironic, considering juxtaposing earnest sincerity with uncomfortable awkwardness has been his bread and butter.

The story concerns a recently divorced semi famous hunter named Buck (get it?), played by Josh Brolin. He’s made a decent living by selling videos of his numerous big game exploits. His videographer, Don, is played by an understated McBride. McBride still gets most of the outré lines, but he’s playing against type here as Don is somewhat deferential and extremely loyal to Buck. The pair are taking Buck’s son, Jaden, on his first deer hunt. However, Jaden, played wonderfully by Montana Jordan, is more interested in his girlfriend, guitar, and smartphone than in trekking out to the woods. Buck just wants to connect with his son, who he feels is bonding more with his soon to be stepfather.

Performances are great, across the board. Brolin, McBride, and Jordan all have great chemistry and project exactly who their characters are written to be. They’re warm, funny, exasperated, lonely, and misunderstood. I expect we’ll be seeing more of young Jordan as he is very capable and comfortable in front of the camera. Acting is not the problem, however. The issue is that, for the first time, Hill seems to have dialed back the absurdity and darkness a bit. So, the pathos comes through, but Hill doesn’t undercut it enough with comedy. I chuckled throughout but I wasn’t cackling. At the same time, I felt for the characters, but I didn’t feel enough. Usually, Hill is a master of juggling these typically incongruous elements but he fumbles for the first time.

Seemingly shot on location in the woods surrounding Asheville, North Carolina, the backgrounds are gorgeous. However, another disappointment is that Hill tones down his usual stylistic flourishes. The result is a beautiful looking film, but not a very interesting one. Musical choices are up to par, though. Hill always does great in this department, allowing his soundtrack to help flesh out his characters and setting.

Absurd, but not absurd enough, and dramatic, but too silly to be a drama, THE LEGACY OF A WHITETAIL DEER HUNTER is a well made film, but not a must see. I enjoyed several aspects of it, but it is not better than the sum of its parts. I wonder if maybe Hill and company are trying to expand outside of their usual dark comedies/satires into Judd Apatow style dramedies. I’ll still watch anything they make, as the rest of their work I consider to be outstanding. I recommend this only to other Hill/McBride/Green superfans and woodsy hunter types who don’t take themselves too seriously.

imsounoriginal · 07-12-2018, 02:06 PM

Josh Brolin is enough to pique my interest, and it being on Netflix only helps.

Hucksta G · 07-12-2018, 08:45 PM

I've enjoyed everything Hill and McBride have made together, Observe and Report is one of my favourite comedies, looking forward to watching this.

Wildcat2000 · 07-13-2018, 06:47 AM

Saw this the other day and thought it was really good. The performances were good and the humor seemed just right. It’s a bit short is the only nitpick I have.

07-12-2018, 01:00 PM	#4
Splatterpunk Senior Member Member since:Jan 2013 Location:Past them treeeeeeeeees. 4K collection:316 Blu-ray collection:1453 DVD collection:986	Jody Hill, along with his typical collaborators Danny McBride and David Gordon Green, has become one of my favorite film and TV creators over the last decade. THE FOOT FIST WAY, OBSERVE AND REPORT, EASTBOUND AND DOWN, and VICE PRINCIPALS are all some of the best darkly humorous works of recent memory. Hill’s latest film, THE LEGACY OF A WHITETAIL DEER HUNTER debuted on Netflix last week. Unfortunately, it is his weakest effort to date. Not nearly as absurd as his previous efforts, it is undone by tonal inconsistency. This is ironic, considering juxtaposing earnest sincerity with uncomfortable awkwardness has been his bread and butter. The story concerns a recently divorced semi famous hunter named Buck (get it?), played by Josh Brolin. He’s made a decent living by selling videos of his numerous big game exploits. His videographer, Don, is played by an understated McBride. McBride still gets most of the outré lines, but he’s playing against type here as Don is somewhat deferential and extremely loyal to Buck. The pair are taking Buck’s son, Jaden, on his first deer hunt. However, Jaden, played wonderfully by Montana Jordan, is more interested in his girlfriend, guitar, and smartphone than in trekking out to the woods. Buck just wants to connect with his son, who he feels is bonding more with his soon to be stepfather. Performances are great, across the board. Brolin, McBride, and Jordan all have great chemistry and project exactly who their characters are written to be. They’re warm, funny, exasperated, lonely, and misunderstood. I expect we’ll be seeing more of young Jordan as he is very capable and comfortable in front of the camera. Acting is not the problem, however. The issue is that, for the first time, Hill seems to have dialed back the absurdity and darkness a bit. So, the pathos comes through, but Hill doesn’t undercut it enough with comedy. I chuckled throughout but I wasn’t cackling. At the same time, I felt for the characters, but I didn’t feel enough. Usually, Hill is a master of juggling these typically incongruous elements but he fumbles for the first time. Seemingly shot on location in the woods surrounding Asheville, North Carolina, the backgrounds are gorgeous. However, another disappointment is that Hill tones down his usual stylistic flourishes. The result is a beautiful looking film, but not a very interesting one. Musical choices are up to par, though. Hill always does great in this department, allowing his soundtrack to help flesh out his characters and setting. Absurd, but not absurd enough, and dramatic, but too silly to be a drama, THE LEGACY OF A WHITETAIL DEER HUNTER is a well made film, but not a must see. I enjoyed several aspects of it, but it is not better than the sum of its parts. I wonder if maybe Hill and company are trying to expand outside of their usual dark comedies/satires into Judd Apatow style dramedies. I’ll still watch anything they make, as the rest of their work I consider to be outstanding. I recommend this only to other Hill/McBride/Green superfans and woodsy hunter types who don’t take themselves too seriously. Last edited by Splatterpunk; 07-12-2018 at 01:07 PM.

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06-27-2018, 07:58 PM	#2
jacobsever Blu-ray Knight Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Denver, CO 4K collection:158 Blu-ray collection:732 DVD collection:6 Trading Score:13	Idk about this one. I loved Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals. But with this, they seem to be trying to make a feel-good, light hearted, emotionally uplifting story. The reason I like their other projects are because of the crass, rude humor and over-the-top ridiculousness.

06-27-2018, 08:02 PM	#3
Foggy Blu-ray Grand Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2008 Location:UK 4K collection:29 Blu-ray collection:3591 DVD collection:47	Observe and Report is pretty underrated, but I’m not feeling this one.

07-12-2018, 02:06 PM	#5
imsounoriginal Blu-ray Grand Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2008 Location:NYC 4K collection:320 Blu-ray collection:946 DVD collection:70 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:59	Josh Brolin is enough to pique my interest, and it being on Netflix only helps.

07-12-2018, 08:45 PM	#6
Hucksta G Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2011 Location:New Zealand 4K collection:118 Blu-ray collection:999 DVD collection:378 iTunes collection:1 Trading Score:5	I've enjoyed everything Hill and McBride have made together, Observe and Report is one of my favourite comedies, looking forward to watching this.

07-13-2018, 06:47 AM	#7
Wildcat2000 Power Member Member since:Jan 2017 Location:USA Blu-ray collection:9	Saw this the other day and thought it was really good. The performances were good and the humor seemed just right. It’s a bit short is the only nitpick I have.

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