PETER AND THE FARM REVIEWED
“Peter and the Farm” was really sad. I don’t mean that to slight the subject, but the documentary showcases everything that can be lost by maintaining an older cultural lifestyle. The youthful often poke fun at hippies for seemingly archaic artifacts. But, Peter Dunning shows what is lost when you give up everything to maintain a dream. Thankfully, the documentary crew hangs with Peter long enough to see the downside. While farm life is seemingly great, Peter’s kind of a bitter drunk.
Peter was going to be a sculptor, before an accident mangled his hand. Now, he works a farm alone in Vermont. The work is good and he’s quite able to slaughter a lamb by himself. But, he bums rides to buy liquor and he takes out his anger on anyone at arm’s reach. This isn’t a film about Peter getting better or the audience learning something. You’re invited into a documentary about how such a bizarre personality can exist in the rural world.
This documentary has hung in my mind for awhile. We were going to live with it before the Super Bowl, but people I know that I was distracted that day. That being said, take the time to pick up the VOD release. If things work out, we should be interviewing the director about the film rather soon.
FILM STATS
- Not Rated
- 1 hr and 32 mins
- Magnolia
