We join a beaten down, broke - and terminally ill -Ambrose (Danny Glover) who, it later transpires, has neither been a good father nor husband, at least not in the traditional sense.
At this point, his primary driver is finding a place where his prize winning pig, Howard, will receive as much love and care that Ambrose gives - a tall order given the man's total devotion to his (admittedly charming) porcine friend.
Ambrose decides to embark on a long journey to see Payo, the son of an old friend, who now runs his family's successful pig farm in Mexico, as he feels this will be best for Howard, with whom he philosophises and chunters continually. Howard's grunts and snaffles are all the replies needed.
Shocked by what the farm tour reveals, Ambrose storms off, semi incoherent with upset at Howard's likely fate - naturally with his beloved pig in tow.
Danny Glover captures the shambolic reactions of an old, sick, disappointed man - moreover one whose overriding concern is for his animal, rather than cash - so beautifully. You can see his erratic - and often irascible - behaviour is driven by love.
The episode affects him(and his health) deeply and, having thus far only spoken his daughter Eunice (Maya Rudolph)on the phone, she drives out to meet him. Their relationship initially seems fragile. He's been absent for most of her life and she neither knows how ill he is, nor gets his passion for animals and their welfare. She very soon finds out though - and is reminded of something important from her childhood. They sometimes argue but that's because he's a man on a mission; moreover one who knows he's short on options, with no time to be patient when it comes to safeguarding Howard.
Despite the squabbles - and the merciful lack of ridiculous melodrama - the formerly hectoring Eunice is slowly won over by Ambrose who, when not striving on behalf of his four legged pal, is soft and reflective, easily acknowledging - and regretting - his past mistakes, while in no way feeling sorry for himself.
I know it seems rather late to be reviewing this 5 years after its release, but having only just shown on Netflix, I am delighted to have finally caught up with this lovely little hidden gem, for it is indeed, a diamond.
At this point, his primary driver is finding a place where his prize winning pig, Howard, will receive as much love and care that Ambrose gives - a tall order given the man's total devotion to his (admittedly charming) porcine friend.
Ambrose decides to embark on a long journey to see Payo, the son of an old friend, who now runs his family's successful pig farm in Mexico, as he feels this will be best for Howard, with whom he philosophises and chunters continually. Howard's grunts and snaffles are all the replies needed.
Shocked by what the farm tour reveals, Ambrose storms off, semi incoherent with upset at Howard's likely fate - naturally with his beloved pig in tow.
Danny Glover captures the shambolic reactions of an old, sick, disappointed man - moreover one whose overriding concern is for his animal, rather than cash - so beautifully. You can see his erratic - and often irascible - behaviour is driven by love.
The episode affects him(and his health) deeply and, having thus far only spoken his daughter Eunice (Maya Rudolph)on the phone, she drives out to meet him. Their relationship initially seems fragile. He's been absent for most of her life and she neither knows how ill he is, nor gets his passion for animals and their welfare. She very soon finds out though - and is reminded of something important from her childhood. They sometimes argue but that's because he's a man on a mission; moreover one who knows he's short on options, with no time to be patient when it comes to safeguarding Howard.
Despite the squabbles - and the merciful lack of ridiculous melodrama - the formerly hectoring Eunice is slowly won over by Ambrose who, when not striving on behalf of his four legged pal, is soft and reflective, easily acknowledging - and regretting - his past mistakes, while in no way feeling sorry for himself.
I know it seems rather late to be reviewing this 5 years after its release, but having only just shown on Netflix, I am delighted to have finally caught up with this lovely little hidden gem, for it is indeed, a diamond.