The Godfather Buck tells the intense story of two brothers and their family history. Dan (Frederick Keeve), 52 and his younger, very handsome, brother Steven Madden (Kyle Lowder), 35 meet once a year at their late father’s beautiful remote wooden cabin high up in the woods in Big Bear, California. They go there for a week’s hunting trip, and to reconnect. This time their younger footballer step-brother Andrew (Indar Smith), 25 joins them for a night, on his way to meet a friend in Palm Springs. During the course of a long drunken evening, long-held family secrets and lies are uncovered, changing the lives of Dan and Steven forever.
Director Thomas J Churchill’s new drama, released on April 19th, explores toxic masculinity, homophobia, sexuality, and dysfunctional family relationships. Dan is a successful attorney and married with a wife and two kids. He’s an archetypal example of toxic masculinity. Steven is a firefighter and far more considerate. The two clash repeatedly over Dan’s poisonous attitude to women, queers, and life in general.
The film is beautifully shot around Big Bear, and has an interesting storyline. However, the script is often very literal and Dan’s toxic masculinity is relayed to us over and over again. This isn’t pleasant to watch. The first hour of the film prior to Andrew’s arrival could do with a 30-minute sharp edit. I also didn’t enjoy the hunting scenes and the film might have wider appeal without them. As well as playing Dan, Keeve also wrote and produced the film. Maybe he took on too much. However, if you can see beyond the film’s flaws, then you can watch quite a thought-provoking story, shot in a beautiful environment.
The Godfather Buck was released in US movie theaters on April 19th
Review: Ris Fatah Queerguru Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
