Idlewild Ranch
Genre: Western/Mystery/Adventure
Director: Joel & Ethan Coen
Writer: Jacob Jones
Cast: Billy Magnussen, Reese Witherspoon, Kyle Chandler, Elliott Gould, Willow Shields, Holt McCallany, Ryan Kiera Armstrong
Plot: As the sun rises in the sleepy town of Bardstown, the resident horse wrangler Montgomery (Billy Magnussen) wakes up to smell the fresh air. He saunters off to the bathroom to put on his trusty hat and jeans before putting some bread in his toaster. While Montgomery waits for his breakfast, he peeks his head outside and takes another sniff at the air. Montgomery declares out loud that today's going to be a good day.
"A good day for what? Announce all your plans to the world?"
Montgomery looks over to his right, his neighbor Stacey (Reese Witherspoon) flashing a good-natured smirk. Montgomery greets her with a tip of his hat, saying that he's gonna do some work on the open frontier. Stacey tells him to be careful, the stallions have been ornery as of late. Montgomery laughs it off, stating that no job is too big for him, only to be startled by his toaster dinging.
After Montgomery eats his breakfast, Montgomery heads to his ranch, picking up his trusty steed "Riverboat Ron". As Montgomery rides his horse across town, he comes across resident officer Clinton (Holt McCallany) who asks him why he still rides around in a horse when everyone's riding automobiles. Montgomery shrugs, admitting that he hasn't had the time to work these 'newfangled machines'. Clinton suggests he get to work. It's 1923 and cars are the way of the future, though as Montgomery heads off, Clinton looks at his horse and smiles, secretly admiring the horse.
Eventually, Montgomery and Ron arrive at the open frontier, Montgomery keeping an eye on any potential suitors when he comes across a majestic looking stallion. Montgomery engages in a high-speed chase among the open frontier with the stallion before catching him with his lasso. Montgomery pats the horse on the head, feeding it some oats before letting him free. As he explains to Ron, horses that live in the frontier should stay there as it is their natural habitat.
A few hours later, Montgomery and Ron return home, Montgomery feeding his horse several carrot slices after a job well done. He then hears Stacey calling for him and runs over, finding Stacey with her husband Joe (Kyle Chandler) and their daughter Redd (Ryan Kiera Armstrong). Stacey tells Montgomery that they baked him a pie as today is the fifth anniversary of Montgomery moving to Bardstown. Montgomery thanks Stacey for the kind gesture.
Montgomery greets Redd, who merely stares at him and quips that he smells like horse manure. Joe lightly scolds her before looking at Montgomery, claiming that she's been in a foul mood recently. Stacey then goads Joe to mention a special plan. Despite his reluctance, Joe invites Montgomery to join the family this weekend on a trip to the Idlewild Ranch, where the finest equestrian horses live. Flattered by this proposal, Montgomery accepts the offer.
When Stacey and Redd leave, Montgomery tries to engage in some conversation with Joe, only getting short, blunt answers in return. Eventually, Joe grows tired of their talk and asks Montgonery if he has some crops he needs to tend to. Montgomery thanks Joe for reminding and dashes off. Having seen their conversation, Stacey asks Joe what he has against Montgomery. Joe looks at his wife and states plainly that he's not peaceful or quiet. Stacey tells Joe that Montgomery is a nice, charming man and asks Joe to give him a chance this weekend. Joe says that he'll consider it, but that he'd have to do a lot to earn his respect.
The next morning, Montgomery awakens to a loud argument. Concerned, he rushes outside to find Clinton handcuffing Joe. Montgomery jumps in, asking Clinton what the problem is. Upon seeing Montgomery, Joe attempts to lunge after him, only for Clinton and Stacey to restrain the beleaguered farmer. Clinton explains that there have been reports of horses disappearing in Idlewood Ranch.
Baffled, Montgomery asks Joe what the meaning of this is, but Joe is quick to accuse Montgomery of spreading rumors. Clinton is about to send Joe away when Montgomery steps in, asking if they checked for any evidence. Clinton claims that he got the information from a 'reputable source'. Montgomery suggests they find this source and get further details before jumping to conclusions. Despite Clinton's reluctance, he accepts the offer upon being promised tomato soup by Stacey.
The group travel several miles before coming to a small house. Montgomery knocks on the door and out comes a young woman. She introduces herself as Kitty (Willow Shields), the town's information master. Joe however knows her by another name, the town gossip. Clinton explains to Kitty that Montgomery has challenged her claims. Kitty rolls her eyes, saying that she was at the Idlewood Ranch last night. A big, burly man was trying to let the horses out of their stables. When asked if she can describe him, Kitty is very clearly looking at Joe for description ideas.
Realizing the whole thing is a farce, Montgomery tells Kitty that it's okay to admit she's wrong. Indignant, Kitty declares that she saw what she saw and slams the door on Montgomery. He turns around, proclaiming that Kitty's information isn't worth the salt it's printed on and that the case is still open. Irritated at his info being proven wrong, Clinton asks Montgomery who he thinks stole the horses. Montgomery says that he's going to find out, asking for everyone to join him.
With everyone's approval, Montgomery appears set to head out when Kitty reopens the door, clarifying with Montgomery that he's going to solve the case and demanding to join them to see if Montgomery 'solves the case the right way'. Despite Joe's objections, Montgomery gives her a second chance, stating that they need all the help they can get.
Joe and the gang drive through Kentucky on his automobile, Montgomery looking up directions to the ranch. Along the way, the car runs out of gas. Joe and Stacey try to push the car further, but to no avail. Just when it seems useless, Montgomery begins to hear banjo playing not far from them and motions for everyone to follow him. The group keeps walking until they get deep into a forest where a man on a rocking chair plays a banjo. He introduces himself as Shimshack Layburn (Elliot Gould), woodmaster and hitchhiker. Montgomery asks Shimshack if he has any gasoline they can borrow.
After learning about Joe’s plight, Shimshack offers to help the group out in anyway he can, rushing to his log cabin to get out a big cantine of gas to put in the Henn family car. Before the group can drive off, it begins to rain. Everyone flees inside Shimshack’s log cabin. Montgomery takes one look up in the clouds and reports that they’ll have to stay inside, at least until the storm clears up. Stacey enters the kitchen, asking Shimshack if he has anything she can use to whip up something for everyone. Shimshack gets out several fruits, nuts and berries. Soon after, Stacey and Shimshack serve up ‘Berry Stew Surprise’.
As the group eat, Kitty stirs up some suspicion by gushing about Idlewood Ranch and their collection of horses, but she insists that she’s not the one who did it. That evening, the storm clears up. Montgomery walks out to take a look at the night sky when Skimshack and Stacey head out to check on him. Montgomery suggests they rest up and resume the trip tomorrow. Shimshack says that he was going to start a bonfire if he’d like to join the others. Montgomery accepts the offer.
During the walk to the bonfire, Montgomery asks Shimshack what Idlewood Ranch is like. Shimshack smiles, saying that he used to work at Idlewild Ranch for a number of decades. It’s a lovely place that takes very good care of its horses. The people that work over there helped give him an education and a purpose. Ultimately, he gave it up, preferring to spend the remainder of his days in the great outdoors. By the end of Shimshack’s story, they’ve arrived at the bonfire. Montgomery then leads the group to a rousing rendition of Home on the Range, one even Joe finds enjoyment in.
Later that night, with the fire almost gone, Montgomery begins to head in for the night when Stacey comes up to him, thanking him for helping prove Joe’s innocence. It means a lot to him and the family. Montgomery admits that he knows Joe doesn’t like him, but that he still wants to help his fellow neighbors, besides, no job is too big for Montgomery. With that, Montgomery heads in for the night.
The next morning, Montgomery wakes up to find everyone looking around the forest. As it turns out, Clinton went missing during the night. Kitty claims that she saw Clinton walk away from the forest, mentioning something about horses. Quick to accuse Clinton of being the true culprit, Joe, along with Redd storm off to find Clinton. The rest follow suit to prevent a confrontation. Clinton absent-mindedly strolls on the road, whistling Dixie when he hears Joe and Redd. Joe asks Clinton what he’s doing all by himself, Clinton claims he’s going to see the horses. Joe overwhelms Clinton with multiple questions before coming to the conclusion that Clinton is the real horse thief.
Montgomery and Stacey walk in, only to find Redd kicking Clinton in the shin. Stacey rushes in, restraining Redd and Joe from Clinton before they get arrested. Montgomery gets in between the two, asking Clinton why he left without them knowing. Petrified for his safety, Clinton explains that he had to go solve a case back in Bardstown, even took the car just to get back. Once he got back, he saw that it was morning and felt it was okay to go off by himself. Clinton apologizes, promising to not stray from the others again. Stacey coaxes Redd to apologize, which she reluctantly does.
With things now settled, the group resume the trip to Idlewood Ranch. Along the way, Montgomery asks Redd why she’s always so angry. Redd mutters that it’s because of her ‘stupid’ name. Montgomery says that it’s a lovely name, but Redd pitifully asks if he’s heard of the story of the Red Hen. The kids back at school always tease her about it. Montgomery thinks for a moment, before telling Redd to bake some bread. That way, next time she goes to school and the kids all want to pick on her, she can tell them that the bread is hers cause she made it. Redd says she’ll consider it if her family makes it through this.
Sensing the sad look on Redd’s face, Montgomery asks if she’s mad about something else. She admits that she’s not just mad, she’s also afraid saying that right now, it’s because her dad’s reputation is as stake. She pulls up a picture of her and her family at a contest, her father standing proudly with a pig, a blue ribbon on his overalls. Montgomery glances at Joe before patting Redd on the head, promising that they’re going to solve this case.
As he says this, the car comes to a screeching halt. As it turns out, they’ve hit a fork on the road that wasn’t on the map. Hesitant, Montgomery asks Shimshack what he thinks they should do. Shimshack suggests going right. Stacey does so, the gang soon finding themselves in the middle of nowhere. With that, the group must hike it out, the sun beating over them. With the group suffering from the heat, Montgomery suggests finding a shady spot for them to rest. Kitty finds some dead trees nearby. Realizing that it’s the only option they have, the group stop by to rest.
The group don’t have long however, as Montgomery hears a howling noise not far from them. He goes out to explore, unknowingly being followed by Redd. Montgomery keeps walking, the noises becoming louder by the minute. The next thing he knows, he’s face to face with a pack full of wolves. The wolves surround Montgomery, ready for supper when they hear gunshots. Montgomery turns around and finds Redd, carrying a handgun. Redd and Montgomery flee the scene, being chased after by wolves. Montgomery goes to warn everyone while Redd stays back to fight the wolves.
When Montgomery warns the others of the wolves, Joe and Stacey immediately spring into acton, helping their daughter even the odds. Unfortunately, it appears the three are about to be eaten when Montgomery jumps in front of a wolf. The wolf proceeds to bite at Montgomery’s left arm, the cowboy screaming out in pain. This provides enough of a distraction for Joe to shoot at the wolves, causing them to flee while killing the one gnawing on Montgomery’s arm.
The group rush towards Montgomery, Stacey tending to his arm. Slimshack examines the damage and frowns, stating that a wolf’s bite can take more than a week to heal. Clinton gets out a bandage to wrap Montgomery’s arm around. With this, everyone agrees to leave before anything else happens. As the group leaves, Joe asks Montgomery if he’s alright, but to his surprise, Montgomery is quiet. Joe thanks Montgomery for saving his life, but Montgomery tells him to thank his daughter. She’s the real hero.
Montgomery gets up, sadly making his way to the family car. He looks at Joe, sadly telling him that he thought he could handle things, but maybe he’s wrong. He apologizes for wasting Joe’s time. Before he can get too far, Joe puts a hand on Montgomery’s shoulder, admitting that he may have been too hard on him. He’s a nuisance, but if it wasn’t for him, he’d be wolf chow. Plus, he appreciates him for trying to defend his name. Joe looks at the ground, wishing that others would believe him. He’s got a farm full of prize-winning animals, a beautiful wife and a tough-as-nails daughter. This scandal threatens everything.
“As much as I hate to admit it, Montgomery, you’re the only reason I’m not in a jail cell right about now.”
Montgomery thanks Joe and the two shake hands. For the next few days, the group travel by foot with nothing but the clothes off their backs to go off of. Tired, hungry and parched. Clinton collapses onto the ground, hallucinating over seeing a herd of horses. To everyone’s confusion, they begin to hear horses themselves. Montgomery turns around, and to his shock, he finds Idlewood Ranch not far from them.
The group rush over to Idlewood Ranch, not only finding the group of horses, but also some water and several bags of crackers. With the owner’s permission, the group gorge themselves on crackers and drink the water. Montgomery tells the owner that they’re here to solve the horse issue and marches toward the horse stables. Shimshack opts to stay behind however, wanting to get a look at his old stomping grounds. Clinton offers to join him, feeling a need to take it easy.
The rest of the group goes with Montgomery and are relayed of the plan. Tonight, they’ll sleep by the horse stable. Whoever the horse thief is, they’re likely to strike at night. Stacey will keep a lookout, Kitty will sound the alarm and the rest of them will take on the thief. With that, everyone heads to bed, ready to put their plan into action.
That evening, Stacey and Kitty wait outside, Kitty about to doze off when she spots a shifty looking man sneak into the stable. Stacey and Kitty enter not long after him, finding the man opening stable locks. Kitty runs out, screaming “Thief!” to anyone within earshot. Montgomery, Joe and Redd rush in soon after, Joe and Redd cocking their guns at the thief. Montgomery tells him to reveal himself and that they won’t have any problems. The horse thief stares at them, then the horse stables before sighing, admitting that he can’t hide it any longer. He takes off the hat and bandido…
And reveals himself to be Shimshack.
Stunned at this revelation, Montgomery asks Shimshack why he did this. Feeling the guilt, Shimshack admits that he had grown attached to the horses while on the ranch and felt sorry that they had to live their lives inside stables when they should be running free. It’s the real reason why he resigned. At first, Shimshack wanted to keep the truth away from them, hence why he gave them wrong directions to the ranch. When Clinton had fallen asleep, he was going to open all the horse stables, but once he saw everything go in, he knew that the facade was over. Shimshack apologizes deeply to everyone for causing all this and requests to be taken in by the police.
After listening to Shimshack’s story, a tinge of sympathy wracks through Montgomery’s mind. He tells Shimshack that he understands. Horses do belong to the open frontier…but that’s still not an excuse for his crimes. Joe proceeds to wake up Clinton, revealing that Shimshack was the actual culprit. Despite Clinton’s shock and sensing the guilt on Shimshack’s face, he tells him that he’s under arrest. Shimshack thanks Clinton and promises to serve his time well. He takes one last look at Joe and smiles at him, declaring him a free man. Their last look at Shimshack is him being taken away by authorities.
Montgomery looks on, lamenting Shimshack’s plight. Stacey comes up to him, thanking him for clearing Joe’s name. Montgomery smiles, saying that it wasn’t him. Everyone played their part, because in truth, no job is too tough for them. Joe then arrives with several important announcements. He talked it over with the ranch owner, and he’s agree to send all of his horses over to the ranch. Plus, as a thank you for solving the horse thief case, the owner has allowed free horse rides for everyone and is lending some gas for the ride home.
The rest of the day is about as fun as one can get with everyone receiving free horseback rides. Redd especially shows good discipline with the horse, much to the surprise of everyone not named Joe or Stacey.
Back at the Henn household, everyone enjoys a bowl of tomato soup with some root beer when Stacey calls for everyone’s attention. She says last few days have been long and hard for them all, but thanks to their help, they were able to uncover the true horse thief once and for all. Joe admits that when this journey started, he couldn’t wait to be away from everyone. Now? He can’t thank them enough, but there’s one man he especially has to thank. Montgomery. Joe extends a hand to Montgomery and the two shake hands, everyone giving a toast to their newfound friendships.
