Saxton Reads! & Reviews

This documentary is about a modest, hard-working, ordinary guy that is just terrific. The film is an unpolished, simple overview of how a man without technical training in plant life and coming from a poor background in the rural South, finds a hobby, which over time puts his home on the map. His small town is affected by his fame, realizing he is the hope of the community. He generously opens his property to tour visitors and his neighbors, influencing some of them to make an effort to enhance their own homes.

 

The big story behind his talent is his incredible character of seeing past prejudice and just continuing in a positive way to exhibit leadership to his townspeople of all types and colors. Young people, who he loves, bond to him and receive a lesson in life beyond his incredible works of topiary created on his property.

 

This is a profoundly moving example of what just one simple, modestly educated human being can do. His energy and dedication to his creations is quite amazing. His affect on others by his dedication to his hobby and his willingness to share it all is just inspiring.

 

The film could have been just as effective if it had been somewhat shorter in length. The director has allowed the church minister a great deal of dialogue to make his points. Although interesting, it gets away from the personal and too much toward the religious. This is surely valid to him as a minister and certainly an important part of Pearl’s life, but not the real subject of this beautiful film.