Ulee's Gold 1997

Peter Fonda stars as Ulee Jackson, a rugged Florida beekeeper still reeling from the loss of his wife. His son Jimmy, played by Tom Wood, is currently serving time in prison following a botched robbery that left him behind bars. The situation is further complicated by Jimmy’s estranged wife Helen (Christine Dunford), who has abandoned their two young daughters, Casey and Penny, to fend for themselves. Ulee’s reluctance to ask for help stems from his unwavering determination to remain independent, leaving him to juggle the demands of running his business and caring for his granddaughters.

When Ulee visits Jimmy in prison, he learns that Helen has resurfaced at the Orlando residence of Ferris and Eddie, two shady characters who were involved in Jimmy’s botched robbery. They claim Helen is ill, prompting Jimmy to implore Ulee to bring her back home. Despite reservations, Ulee travels to Orlando to retrieve Helen, only to discover that Ferris and Eddie are motivated by a desire to reclaim the stolen bank money rather than concern for Helen’s well-being.

As Ulee navigates this treacherous situation, he agrees to ask Jimmy about the missing cash and then brings Helen home. However, her “illness” is soon revealed to be drug addiction, and she becomes increasingly agitated as she begins to detox. The arrival of Connie Hope (Patricia Richardson), a compassionate nurse who lives nearby, provides some much-needed respite for the family.

Meanwhile, Ulee learns that Jimmy has stashed the stolen funds in one of his beeyards. He decides to confront Ferris and Eddie about their true intentions, but they are too cunning and instead take Helen and the girls hostage at Ulee’s home. At gunpoint, Ulee is forced to lead them to the beeyard, where he reveals the hiding place. As they collect the money, Ulee seizes an opportunity to disarm Ferris and Eddie, sending their weapon flying into the nearby swamp.

The would-be thieves then force Ulee to drive them back to town, only to stab him in the parking lot when they arrive. As Ulee lies bleeding on the ground, Ferris and Eddie make a hasty retreat, but their getaway is short-lived as they are quickly pulled over by Sheriff (who was likely tipped off by Connie).

As the curtain closes on this poignant drama, the Jackson household is bathed in a warm glow of optimism. Helen, once again embracing her maternal instincts, is revitalized in her role as mother, while Jimmy’s prospects of freedom are tantalizingly close. Meanwhile, Ulee, his physical wounds slowly healing, finds solace in the simple pleasures of beekeeping, yet harbors a tinge of melancholy at surrendering some of his responsibilities. (“I feel like an old drone,” he laments wistfully. “They don’t need me now.”) As he nurses his injuries, Ulee’s entrepreneurial spirit stirs, and he sets his sights on expanding his business to ensure a smooth transition upon Jimmy’s return. Amidst this newfound sense of purpose, a subtle yet significant shift in his romantic dynamics with Connie becomes apparent, hinting at the possibility of a long-awaited connection.