This is the light-hearted story of two prospectors - read swindlers - bilking widows out of money in an "oil well fortune" scheme, who, accidentally, struck black gold in Cornville, Texas.
Doc Boyd and DH "Dad" Everett, who have a practiced and tried "dry well" oil swindle actually strike oil in East Texas, and economically rejuvenate the whole region.
This movie does not attempt to glorify, or demonize, any of the themes presented. Oil exploration, Small-Time Hucksters, and even religious conversions are all on the table and are presented in a mildly positive light, where positive virtues of dignity and self-respect override self-preservation and greed.
There are the feel-good vibes that come from the "Support your local gunfighter" locales and music, as well as the hapless swindlers reminiscent of "The Producers".
The closest it got to preachy was when the poor black and white folks started working together on the Bethel well, which could have been shown without being noted, to stronger effect.
The star quality is there, without over-whelming the story, which is well-written, well-acted, and well-made. Just now, while writing this review, I realized that the CGI special effects were so well done, and so well integrated, that you don't even notice them.
I believe also, that this was movie-studio quality made on a relatively low budget, by people that know how to get the shot they need, with what they have on hand. Special shout-out to the overhead drone shots, that were absolutely gorgeous without being horrendously expensive.
Doc Boyd and DH "Dad" Everett, who have a practiced and tried "dry well" oil swindle actually strike oil in East Texas, and economically rejuvenate the whole region.
This movie does not attempt to glorify, or demonize, any of the themes presented. Oil exploration, Small-Time Hucksters, and even religious conversions are all on the table and are presented in a mildly positive light, where positive virtues of dignity and self-respect override self-preservation and greed.
There are the feel-good vibes that come from the "Support your local gunfighter" locales and music, as well as the hapless swindlers reminiscent of "The Producers".
The closest it got to preachy was when the poor black and white folks started working together on the Bethel well, which could have been shown without being noted, to stronger effect.
The star quality is there, without over-whelming the story, which is well-written, well-acted, and well-made. Just now, while writing this review, I realized that the CGI special effects were so well done, and so well integrated, that you don't even notice them.
I believe also, that this was movie-studio quality made on a relatively low budget, by people that know how to get the shot they need, with what they have on hand. Special shout-out to the overhead drone shots, that were absolutely gorgeous without being horrendously expensive.