The Long Ride Home (2003)

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Other reviewers have pointed out good and bad features of this movies, and they all have a point.The feeling that struck me as I watched this was that it was too long.I found myself watching the clock on my DVD player to see how much longer it would last.When I find myself experiencing something like this while watching a film, it usually means the film lacks focus.I think that is true here. There are just too many subplots and unnecessary twists and turns that detract from the feeling of unity in this film. My recommendation would be that it be taken back to the editing room and severely pared down to give it the film a more distinct direction.Some good points in the film: I thought the actor playing the young boy did a good job, and his scenes held my attention.The flirtatious scene(s) where the young lawman envies the light on the leading lady's face was touching, and she did tend to "shine" a bit more in these scenes than others -- she looked better and I thought she was more likable in these scenes.The overall tone of the outdoor scenes were appealing....But I return to my main point... the film needs tighter editing....

The only good thing about this movie is that it got me to register on this site. The acting was atrocious...well with the exception of the horse....fortunately that animal was protected by the SPCA and therefore didn't have to deal with any of the rotten dialogue. It seemed to me that the movie was bordering on camp.A few of the posts hailed it as a great movie due to lack of coarse language and violence. Might as well watch Mary Poppins.It's going to be difficult to find newer westerns w/o violence, and this movie was not one. The merciless beating of the mother and her hair cut off intimated more distasteful violence than could be seen in "Open Range" or Silverado".I expect to see this show up in something like MST3K.

I really enjoyed this movie.. I think the reason Eric did not have the usual saddle on the horse is because he was riding HIS OWN horse in this film and wanted the horse to be at ease.. You could see how relaxed he was himself with the horse. It was obvious the horse was his own..The movie itself may have been a little wishy- washy but Hey I like that..And Yes they could have paired him up with someone else but what the hey... Looks aren't the be-all and end-all. It is what is inside that counts .. Doesn't anyone get that!!!!Of course I was wishing there would have been more of Eric in the movie.. I guess the star was supposed to be Randy Travis.. Whatever!!!!

Excellent cast less the wife. Production values proved money was spent to make the film. Why? Nothing new, nothing different and nothing interesting to watch. Thanks for giving Ernie another role. He's an amazing actor and always gives more than expected.