Richard Attenborough's Grey Owl never received a theatrical release in the United States. The film went straight to video, a monumental flop considering Attenborough's previous successes. All the right elements were in place with wonderful cinematography, beautiful scenery, and a fantastic story to tell. The problem with the film is that ultimately the story just doesn't ring true, and the viewer may be disappointed to find out the romanticized tale Attenborough has fashioned did not exist, for the most part, in real life. Pierce Brosnan was a curious choice to play Grey Owl, but he does well for the most part, despite the limitations of the screenplay. The story is still interesting enough to maintain attention, but the film's revelation (which the screenplay builds up to throughout the film) is a downer to be sure. However, the film still has a message for all of us, despite its inability to sustain the genuineness of its story. There is irony in the film's overemphasis of its ethnic focus in relation to the message touted, received, and then later dismissed by a shortsighted public. Attenborough has a more sympathetic ear for Grey Owl, which explains the incredibly distorted romantic picture the film paints, but he fails to realize the viewer does not necessarily require romanticized window dressing to appreciate the importance of Grey Owl's message. **1/2 of 4 stars.
Review of Grey Owl
