Saw this movie many years ago, and had occasion to see it again recently. It's filled with good performances, none more so than Peter Fonda in the title role. The aging and weary Ulee has heavy life burdens. He's a vet who lost many friends in Vietnam. He's a widower to a woman who was his soulmate. He's father to an imprisoned felon. Father-in-law to a junkie daughter-in-law, who ran away and left him as a stand-in- parent to his two young granddaughters, including a rebellious teen (nice performance by a young Jessica Biel). His dying trade, beekeeping, is physically demanding. His body is breaking down. His son's past sins are coming back as a very real danger to the family. He clings desperately to his values and way of life, but it's clear his soul is nearly exhausted. And if that's not enough, Ulee's upbringing, character and outlook on life demand that he carry all this weight alone, without help from outsiders.Fonda's performance has you feeling like you're bearing some of the crushing weight on Ulee's back. Palpable. You can't help but feel sorry for him, with every step in his painful, limping gait.This is an understated tale of a man persevering against life trying to tear him down, with the kind of burdens many people in our society know all too well.Highly recommended.

Ulee Jackson (Peter Fonda) is a beekeeper taking care of his granddaughters Penny (Vanessa Zima) and the rebellious Casey (Jessica Biel). His son Jimmy (Tom Wood) calls from prison. He tells him that his wife Helen (Christine Dunford) is in trouble and Ulee needs to rescue her from his old running mates Eddie Flowers and Ferris Dooley. They tell him that their last job is suppose to have an extra $100k and they want their money. Ulee takes the drug addicted Helen home. Penny asks next door neighbor Dr. Connie Hope (Patricia Richardson) for help.Fonda gives a quiet but powerful performance. Ulee is a salt-of-the-earth solid character. His family is a shattered one. Like Victor Nunez's previous movie 'Ruby in Paradise', he has given a perfect showcase for his lead. The story is simple but effective. For all the low world influence, the violence is pretty tame. The movie can feel tame but it has a deeper heart.

This was an okay movie, very low key, helped but along by Peter Fonda who is just exceptional. He plays Ulee, a reserved Florida bee keeper forced to put his splintered family back together when his incarcerated son asks for a favour. Solid acting all round with some powerful scenes between Fonda and Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement). It's a low budget movie but that doesn't seem to affect anything. The quiet beekeeping scenes are beautifully done. (I even learned a thing or two about honey there) Also includes a (very) young Jessica Biel as Ulee's granddaughter. 8/23/14

When this film appeared there was a genuine mild Oscar buzz around it, particularly it was said because of Peter Fonda's mesmerising performance. I sat and watched Peter and his cast friends. It was maybe the most painful film I'd ever had to watch. Dull. Slow. I'm a sucker for character-rich films that others can find "too wordy". But, this had nothing. There is one excruciating scene where he stands, with a female friend, in his kitchen first pouring then drinking a glass of water. It lasts for seemingly hours with nothing going on. No chat, nothing. The camera dwells upon Fonda in a way that suggests he is a God about to utter an all-important oratory. But, nothing of note spews out. You hope that maybe one of Fonda's hived bees may provide some captivating diversion. But, no. Then I realised whom must have generated all that original buzz.