
The Super Bowl is less than two weeks away. I’m rooting for a certain team in green (Fly Eagles Fly!). For Wisconsin farmer Buck (played by Craig T. Nelson) in the new film “Green and Gold”, he’s hoping the Green Bay Packers make it all the way to the Big Game — and win — so he can get more time to pay his debts and keep the farm alive.
Buck has an uneasy relationship with his granddaughter Jenny (Madison Lawlor), who’s itching to pursue a singing career and get a little more out of life, which means leaving her grandparents and the farm. Singer Billy (Brandon Skenlar) may help put her on the right path. But at what cost?
“Green and Gold”, which is inspired by a true story, is a well-intentioned movie, with gorgeous cinematography. But a number of factors prevent you from becoming immersed or emotionally invested in what’s going on, including a comedy-drama combo in tone that’s mostly unsuccessful. The screenplay, co-written by director Anders Lindwall, tries to *pack* a lot in. Sometimes an intimate, low-key vibe, mixed with a faith-based component, can work really well. But random silly moments and sudden plot developments straight out of a TV melodrama (that quickly pile up) take you out of any kind of momentum.
Nelson has a couple decent scenes, and the late M. Emmet Walsh briefly pops-in, with his final performance. But the majority of “Green and Gold” is clunky and predictable. As much as I wanted to be genuinely moved, I couldn’t get nearly to the levels the filmmakers are hoping audiences reach.
LCJ GRADE: C-
Running Time: 95 min.