There’s been an uptick in movies and TV shows over the last few years that have illustrated what life in rural America is like in ways that are both realistic and dramatized. Some of the more famous ones include Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone or Landman, two series that take a dark and dramatic approach to their storylines. However, this dreariness isn’t always reflective of reality, something that popular genre media doesn’t reflect. That’s where Green and Gold comes in; an emotional movie about family that showcases the strength and togetherness of rural America through a vibrant, moving presentation.

Release Date

January 31, 2025

Runtime

95 Minutes

Director

Anders Lindwall

Writers

Anders Lindwall, Missy Mareau Garcia, Steven Shafer, Michael Graf

Cast

Inspired by a true story, Green and Gold follows Jenny (Madison Lawlor), a young musician who helps her grandfather, Buck (Craig T. Nelson), manage their family farm. While Jenny dreams of becoming a famous artist, only her grandmother, Margaret (Annabel Armour), supports her dreams. As she’s trying to start a new life, the farm is foreclosed on, with Buck unable to pay the amount necessary to save it. However, the family makes a wager: if the Green Bay Packers can win the Super Bowl, they can have one more year to come up with the money to save the farm.
Green & Gold’s Simple Story Works Wonders For Its Themes

The Film Balances Its Many Moving Parts Quite Well

Green and Gold’s story focuses on family first, with the interactions between Jenny and Buck being the central element of the story. Their clashing perspectives are a key storyline, with the free-spirited musician seeing the farm as a prison, while her grandfather sees it as a sacred place. This conflict takes a lighter approach than shows like Yellowstone, which have a harsh backdrop to its rural highlights. Instead, this movie has a very family-friendly feel to it, emphasized by its endearing character arcs and decisions.

The football team is a constant connection between Jenny and Buck, acting as a meaningful thread that their relationship centers around thanks to the deal.

This accessibility extends to its story, which keeps things simple by focusing on the main pair for the majority of the tale. While some characters like mortgage lender Jerry (Tim Frank), professional singer Billy (Brandon Sklenar), and farmhand Aaron (Ashton Moio) get some development as the film progresses, Green and Gold is really about its central family.
The moments between Jenny and Buck are the most memorable, as their ideologies clash while their farm work continues. This contention illustrates their ideologies in interesting ways, while still acting as a love letter to rural America. And Lawlor’s performance is compounded by her incredible singing, which helps characterize Jenny through her music.
Effective Character Arcs Balance Out Some Predictable Moments

But Those Moments Don’t Detract From the Movie

Because of how well the movie’s character arcs play out, they’re able to detract from some of the film’s more predictable moments. While it diverts in different areas to give itself a unique identity, there are plenty of story beats Green and Gold hits that feel very typical of a film in its genre. Luckily, the way it was presented didn’t distract from the movie’s purpose, with even the more cliché moments feeling like they belonged in the story. Without them, it may have been too subversive, reminding us, fittingly, that familiarity doesn’t need to be monotonous.

Related

Train Dreams Review: Joel Edgerton’s Western Drama Is Stunning To Behold & Yet I Just Couldn’t Fall In Love With It

The film is visually gorgeous, with some of the best cinematography, and while I appreciated its introspection, it’s far too drawn out and aimless.

With a strong cast and a character-driven storyline, Green and Gold makes for a perfect film to round out January, offering a strong story about family with great performances. Although some moments feel a little too predictable, it’s bolstered by a powerful message and a heartfelt tribute to rural America, with the Green Bay Packers occupying sizable importance too. The movie’s beautiful messages make it digestible for all audiences and leaves you with plenty of emotional memories by the end.

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Green and Gold

7/10

Release Date

January 31, 2025

Runtime

95 Minutes

Director

Anders Lindwall

Writers

Anders Lindwall, Missy Mareau Garcia, Steven Shafer, Michael Graf

Cast

Pros & Cons

A powerful story about family with stellar performances from the cast.
Buck and Jenny are interesting characters whose stories are creatively woven with the Green Bay Packers.
Predictable moments are present, but don’t detract from the film as a whole.