The premise is not that unusual. A lot of ungrateful sons and/or daughters try to have parents put away. I have lived on a farm with an outhouse so I know it's not a pleasant place to spend time. We had propane gas for cooking and pump water for drinking or bathing..cold water like in this film..I have had kerosene lamps for light. No overnight delivery.I know that feeling,too. Whatever Ed Asner has going for himself in the woods I do understand and appreciate.Not everyone can understand that kind of life. Los Angeles is not mainstream America. Ed Asner seems to get better with age. His grandson, Jason London is becoming a pretty good actor and does well in this turn both playing off each other. Forget all these people trying to portray this as life lessons. It's not overly sentimental and it has a pretty good flow in the story telling. This is a pretty good walk in the woods.It gets a ten for the acting and a ten for the natural beauty of the location filming.

I always give extra points for movies (even TV-movies) that are different. And this one is different. First, it elevates itself well beyond what we often see on the Hallmark TV channel. But every once in a while, Hallmark scores, and here it did.I think we always knew that Ed Asner was a fine actor, almost most of us remember him primarily from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Here we are reminded once again of just how good he really is. He plays an old man who was sought out a different life for himself, which has estranged him from his family. Through some plotting by his daughter, he is reunited with his grandson, who comes to learn that he (Asner) is dying, and has chosen a unique way to do so. Asner helps teach the grandson that city life isn't everything...although he does so through some tough lessons. No, it isn't a happy ending, but it is a real ending...though unique to non-Native Americans.Jason London does a fine job as the grandson, although I'll wait to decide on just how good an actor he is. The other parts are handled well. The script is good. This is a winner for Hallmark.

Es Asner is the grandfather who returns for his quiet place in the woods after a life of looking for happiness in vain, he is visited by his grandson who has a mission of talking him out of acquiring a large piece of land and jeopardizing the family fortune in the process. The story gives Ed Asner the opportunity to put the thumbscrews on his grandson, and you can see he really enjoys doing so. Although the film results in a black and white choice between two ways of life and real life is much more complicated (and subtle!) the movie is entertaining (mainly thank's to Ed Asners convincing performance). The film is a potential eye-opener for those who feel their lives and the rat race have escaped their control. It's refreshing to see that the movie advocates making your own choices. Just for this I was able to put up with the fact that he is reading eastern philosophy in his log cabin.....

I know ten is a little high for this one, but I have to admit, I really liked Asner's work, and in this piece he portrays an elderly student/teacher of life. The twinkle in his eye throughout the film reveals that he's having a ball with the role. Admittedly, there are corny moments that go along with the particularly corny music at the film's beginning. Also, there is a bit of irritating Hollywood politics, as they feel their viewers are too stupid to be politically aware, themselves. There are also those occasionally glaring questions, such as...Don't these attorneys actually WORK? But in all, it was a kind and restful movie--Perfect for just sitting down and getting away from reality for a little while.