Institute History
Description
Set in Montana in 1954, Stacking is the story of Anna May Morgan (Megan Follows), a 14-year-old ranch girl and her parents, Dan and Kathleen (Ray Baker and Christine Lahti). The family unit is fragmenting after an accident on the ranch that precipitates a practical and personal crisis for each member. The story explores how three individuals in a family respond to limited options, the conflicts between retreat and commitment, and between the need and inability to communicate.
Anna May’s response is to deny what seem to be inescapable facts; she refuses to believe the family must give up the ranch. She enlists Buddy McGuire (Frederick Forrest)), a shy, engaging ne’er-do-well, their some-times hired man, to help her complete the work of building a hay-stacking machine and to undertake the summer business that provides a future. Stacking is a rare and beautiful film sustained by a strong cast delivering some winning performances. First-time director Martin Rosen, producer of last year’s Dramatic competition winner Smooth Talk, has fashioned yet another strong contender.