Reviews

Having watched this law enforcement series, centered around a modern day US Marshal, shortly after it first aired several years ago, we decided to revisit it again recently. Amazingly, many scenes and sub-plots that obviously had been forgotten seemed new during this second time around. It was also enjoyable seeing some familiar characters again and gaining a better understanding of the main plot and associated sub-plots. Although there is no shortage of villains in this series with a cast of hundreds, even the good guys have their character flaws, adding credibility and authenticity to the story. While some of the miscreants oddly come across as personable and even likable, a few of the antagonists are so vile and odious that you simply keep hoping for the moment when that character may be eliminated with no pain spared. The acting is generally quite good although there are some characters where the Southern-accent thing is overdone, Hollywood style. Native North Carolinian Nick Searcy is a natural (including accent) in his role as Chief Deputy of the US Marshal Service's Lexington field office. It is inconceivable that Mykelti Williamson did not receive any award nomination in some aspect for his role as Ellstin Limehouse, the godfather of Nobles Hollow. The portrayal of cousin Johnny Crowder by David Meunier, a multi-degreed Oregon native and dual citizen of Luxembourg and the USA, cannot be topped for authenticity in character, accent, and persona. At least Jeremy Davies was rightly bestowed two Emmy awards for his free-wheeling, and often hilarious, depiction of Dickie Bennett, a hapless member of one of Harlan County's crime families. Set in central and eastern Kentucky, it is obvious that most of the outdoor scenes were shot somewhere in California based on the scattering of scrawny trees and a semi-arid mountainous landscape. I also wondered if US Marshals are really assigned Lincoln Town Cars as their government-provided mode of transportation. As for language, the series is fortunately free of the f-word but the recurring use of g-damn accelerates as the series progresses from season to season to the point of being gratuitous. Violence is of course a constant but not much different from routine weekly network television. Overall, the story line is quite engaging and character development is allowed. While some of the plots are a bit far-fetched and probably sometimes outside the purview of the US Marshal Service, it is, after all, entertainment, and is well-concocted, superbly cast, and excellently performed.

While I cannot disagree with other reviewers that the acting and the script of this production leave a lot to be desired, the intentions are commendable in calling attention to the fact that way too many supposedly Christian churches neither effectively preach nor put into practice the lessons from the Bible. One reviewer is obviously hostile to anything Christian so this movie presented an easy target for the vitriolic opinions of which one is entitled. It is sadly true that it has long been the case that faith-based movies so often just simply do not rival secular films in most any category of comparison. Part of that is likely due to money and budgeting - this one costing a mere $22,000, according to this website, apparently a mostly volunteer cast and staff. Even if money is available, many actors will avoid such films due to adverse association and rejection by their professional peers. To be sure, there are also secular productions that are equally as amateurish but represent a small percentage of the total. Producers of Christian-themed films are going to have to raise the bar in order to project their work to those beyond the "choir."

When this series first began, I became an instant fan of this modern-day western, if you will, about a lonely, rugged, independent, and conscientious sheriff carrying out his duties with a small staff in the time-honored way, using traditional policing methods without a mobile phone (but carrying a semi-auto sidearm instead of a revolver). Casting was great without resorting to hotshot "stars" that can sometimes spell doom to a series. Portrayals of the rural, mostly poor, county and adjacent Indian reservation seemed to be realistic enough, particularly the often contentious relationships that unfortunately exist between the two cultures. My consistent rating of 10 going into the last season has been downgraded as shown to reflect my overall disappointment. Even in episode 1 of the final season, I could not help but note that the acting seemed a bit belabored or robotic, sometimes amateurish, and not as free-flowing or genuine as in earlier seasons. I am trying not to say anything that is considered a spoiler but it is probably the best thing that it was the last season.

We viewed this film through Netflix and, although the photography and scenery in the film is absolutely astounding, overall the movie just does not rise even towards the top. It plods along for quite a long while before the plot becomes at least somewhat apparent. The acting is rather wooden and mostly devoid of realistic personalities and human interaction, but that may be because of the intent to portray a dark, melancholy side of life, which it does that indeed. Since the parental advisory feature on IMDb of this film is locked, viewers should be aware of frequent uses of the F word and a sex scene that is not at all subliminal. Should be rated R.

Ted McGinley does a most convincing job in the lead role as Paul. The overall plot is good and the storyline is pretty much believable. I heartily agree, however, with another reviewer that the role of Paul's wife Beth was totally miscast. Neither Teri Copley's performance nor her persona was convincing or realistic. When one is fervently seeking God's face through prayer regarding a heart-wrenching issue, it is more likely to be on one's knees with head bowed, face in hands, rather than looking up at the ceiling with a cherubic facial glow. Also, given her age, as well as Ted's, their kids should have been much older - at least teens. As to singer Karen Peck, acting is definitely not her strong suit. Her role as Beth's friend was mostly distracting and purely perfunctory. All in all, this film is one of the better movies I've seen of the faith-based genre.

I recently viewed this movie on Netflix and was struck by the impression that a movie with a similar plot and circumstances would probably not be produced in the US or the UK. Kudos to the makers of this film who had the courage to tell a true story that most people probably were never aware of and where the characters involved do not fit a preferred template. Most foreign-made movies I've seen on Netflix often are superior to American films in both content and acting, primarily because they are devoid of Hollywood scripting/acting where characters mechanically spew their lines with no reflection of authentic human character or realism.