“Barn Red” is the best movie yet by Michigan filmmaker Rich Brauer. It’s his third feature length film and his second starring legendary actor Ernest Borgnine, who just celebrated his 88th birthday. Borgnine is best remembered for his Academy award winning leading role in “Marty” (1955), “From Here to Eternity” (1953), “The Wild Bunch” (1969), the cruise ship disaster film “Poseidon Adventure” (1972), and as the centurion in “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977). He has experienced a recent surge of popularity with the younger set in his new role as the voice of Mermaid Man in SpongeBob SquarePants.
“Barn Red” is a very tender story of a relationship between an old ‘codger’ (Borgnine) and a young woman ably played by Native American actress Kimberly Norris Guerrero [Hildalgo]. These two, who are from different generations and cultures, are bonded together by a united purpose—to save the farm from a profit-driven ‘evil’ developer who wants to buy up all the area of Cherry Farms to build a cramped, sub-standard housing development.
The film has the obvious backing of the Michigan Land Conservancy Association, a special interest group dedicated to protesting the hyper-development of farm land.
Whether or not you believe the premise that urban sprawl is gobbling up rural land, “Barn Red” is more of a story about the importance of different cultures and how generations should set aside differences to accomplish a greater good.
I recommend “Barn Red” to any Ernest Borgnine fan and anyone who wants to see a warm, touching, wholesome movie, a rarity in today’s entertainment landscape. Barn Red is due out on DVD in March 2005 with several interesting additions.
Read an Interview with Producer Richard Brauer: A True Flashback – The Brauer Way