Based on the novel by David Guterson, this film is a weighty one. The underlying theme is the cycle of life and death. Tom Skerritt is magnificent in the lead role as Ben. The part requires an emotional depth that this veteran actor brings to bear. Ben decides not to tell anyone about his cancer, not even his daughter (Mira Sorvino). Instead, he travels back to his boyhood home in Eastern Washington with his beloved dog. The journey does not go as planned – a violent encounter and a connection with a kind stranger (Annie Gonzalez) inspires new insight. Unfolding against the scenic vistas of the Columbia Basin, this compelling character study offers a long-overdue showcase for one of cinema’s greatest treasures. Skerritt’s craggy face and frail frame fit perfectly with cinematographer Sebastien Scandiuzzi’s autumnal landscapes. Expanses of brush, distant rivers, blazing sunsets emphasize the sense that this may be Ben’s last time in the wilderness. And Skerritt transmits an appreciation for his surroundings that is palpable, lifting the tone and spirit of the movie. Every frame of this film is beautiful, and it is a joy to watch Tom Skerritt at work. Port Townsend Film Festival is honoring Tom Skerritt with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. The interview following the film includes the presentation of this Award.