Everything That Rises

The struggle to hang onto the ranch is a backdrop, like the breathtaking footage of Montana, to the personal story of a father and son. Dennis Quaid, who also directed, plays a very convincing rancher-cowboy, who has learned to live in the unforgiving man's world that he inherited from his own father, but who knows little how to communicate his love to his own 14-year-old son (Ryan Merriman), eager to grow up and be a man just as strong. Their relationship is prickly until the boy is injured in an accident, and the difficulties between them are aggravated by the father's concern that he's about to lose the ranch.

The link between them is the rancher's wife (Mare Winningham) and an old cowboy (Harve Presnell) who lives and works on the ranch. Each in their way try to bring boy and father together and help keep the family on the ranch. Spragg's gift for revealing character through dialogue (evident in his book) and Quaid's direction make the scenes between characters rise again and again above the preditable. It's also a pleasure to have the "bad guys" come across sympathetically -- it's painful to watch the loan officer at the bank squirm in discomfort as he has to deliver bad news, and the land developer is portrayed as a generous man making every effort to preserve another man's wounded pride.

I recommend this film to anyone interested in the modern west, especially the high plains and mountains, and the details of ranch life. It's also a fine father-son story, with moments of well-earned pathos that bring a tear to the eye. As a companion, I recommend any of Mark Spragg's books. He's a fine writer.


Definitely worth watching   July 20, 2000
Sandy Warner (Massachusetts)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This is Dennis Quaid's directorial debut and filmed in the Paradise Valley area of Montana. The scenery is gorgeous and worthwhile to see it [Montana] in person! It's a sweet story of a family relationship and how they endure the tradgedy that strikes them. The acting is well done, with some humor to ease the seriousness of the storyline. My eyes welled up during both sad and happy moments during this film.

Dennis did a good job with this film.


Wonderful family movie!   November 20, 1999
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I saw this movie on TV and thought it was great! I have since purchased the video and have watched it several times. It is a great story, so touching and moving. Dennis Quaid deserves an award for his directing and acting. I will watch it over and over and loan it my family and friends to watch.


the best review ever   March 26, 2000
acting lover (United States)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I liked Everything that rises because it has real things that happen to people. The movie shows a family that is going through losing there ranch that has been past down for a few generations, and put with that their son was recently paralized in a truck accident, but it shows thefamilies struggle to keep the ranch and keep the family together. I thought it was well acted by Dennis Quaid, Mare Winningham, Meat loaf, Harve Presnell and Ryan Merriman.


A definate keeper   June 16, 1999
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I saw this movie on TNT and fell in love. This movie in one phrase would be.."God created family so hopeless wouldn't get the last word!"(Hope Floats)

I love the way they stuck together and worked things out even when tragedy came close to home.

Quaid did a great job both acting and directing! I will definatley buy this when it is re-released!