Farming, football and faith.
These are the primary values of Green and Gold, a film that believes them to be the foundation of a life worth living. Based on true events, Green and Gold follows Buck (Craig T. Nelson), an aging Wisconsin dairy farmer who works his land with his granddaughter Jenny (Madison Lawlor). However, Buck’s financial problems means that he’s at risk of losing his farm. With no other options, Buck is forced to accept a wager surrounding the hopes of the Green Bay Packers and a trip to the Superbowl in an attempt to keep his home—and family—together.
Directed by Anders Lidwall, Green and Gold is a surprisingly engaging film that is willing to sit within life’s challenges, especially in the context of faith. While the script doesn’t always work, the greatest joy in the film stems from an absolutely delightful performance by Lawlor. Lawlor’s impetuous enthusiasm gives life to the film, even in moments where the story appears to stumble. Lawlor gives her character a sense of confidence in herself but also an unease as she leans into the future. Whereas Nelson is left primarily as the gruff grandparent, Lawlor’s Jenny is just beginning her journey as an artist. This makes her both relatable and enjoyable to watch as she attempts to figure out the next part of her path.
In many ways, Green and Gold serves as a love letter to the farming industry of the Midwest. This is a story that celebrates the land for its purity in a world that wants to push forward. For example, Buck is a man of tradition. He clings to the ‘old ways’ and refuses to adapt. There’s a sense that this sort of lifestyle is a ‘forgotten way’ that deserves to be preserved and admired. There’s something heartwarming about this sort of message, even if Buck is viewed both positively and negatively for his views.
After all, Buck’s stubbornness is held in juxtaposition to Jenny’s dreams of beginning her music career. To Buck, Jenny’s pursuit of a career is a betrayal of the family. To Jenny, it’s latching onto an opportunity to use her gifts. In these moments, Green and Gold actually seems to draw a line between ‘dreams’ and ‘ambition’ and creates some fairly interesting dialogue surrounding the issue.
To be fair, creating healthier conversations is often the strength of Green and Gold. Whether it’s wrestling with progress or discussions of faith, the film doesn’t always take the easy way out in its conversations. For instance, as a pastor myself, I’m very protective about the way that faith is portrayed in these sorts of film. Too often, I’ve seen examples where prayers are made by characters in difficult situations and scripts offer ‘God moments’ without much thought. In essence, I have often found that faith-based films act as sermons that want to make answers easier than they really are.
Thankfully though, Green and Gold doesn’t have these sensibilities. This isn’t a film entirely designed to justify people getting their way as an answer to prayer. Instead, the film takes a much more humble and modest approach to their beliefs. This is a family who is struggling with real world problems and that requires more grounded interactions with faith. Yes, we are allowed to experience hope by the film’s finale but there’s limited ‘divine interference’ to make all their problems disappear. (In other words, without giving away any spoilers, God isn’t given any credit for Packers victories.)
For many, that may appear to be a criticism. But, for this writer, it’s an asset. Green and Gold knows that the best way to inform stories about faith isn’t to make them ‘easy’. Instead, genuine faith sometimes requires the ability to wrestle with the shadows of reality. To Green and Gold’s credit, it allows its characters to do so. This isn’t about getting ‘wishes fulfilled’ but finding out where God can be in the storm.
And, for a faith-based film, that’s closer to Gold.
Green and Gold is available in theatres on Friday, January 31st, 2025.
