Becoming Redwood

About the movie

On a day when the news on the radio includes the story of Jack Nicklaus firing his caddy, Ethan is crossing the Canadian border during the Vietnam War in a VW microbus with Jade and their young son Redwood Forest. Jade can't do it, so Ethan crosses the border with his son.At age 11, Redwood fantasizes that he is tied with Nicklaus in the 1975 Masters and is about to win. He has hired Nicklaus' former caddy Ruben. Although his father won't let him watch TV alone, Redwood does sneak in to watch his favorite golf commentators at night, and they are with him in his fantasies along with the caddy.President Jimmy Carter is allowing those who fled to Canada to come back to the United States, but it is not that simple for Ethan as he has been charged with drug-related offenses, and he is still growing marijuana which he sells to Jonno. And Redwood doesn't know the truth about his mother. Interestingly, Ethan is a hippie who raises his son with rules.Eventually, circumstances change and Redwood rejoins his mother in rural California. His mother is back with Arnold and they have two older sons Josh and Todd (apparently she was with Arnold first, or they are her stepsons), plus crazy Earl in the basement. Arnold wanted to serve in Vietnam but like his father, he didn't have to fight because of a disability. He is determined to make his sons men, although Todd is sort of a wimp. Arnold won't tolerate special treatment for Redwood, though Redwood has been a vegetarian all his life and has trouble with the idea that his new family hunts. Although Arnold is a bully and Josh takes after his father, Arnold does show love for his sons.Not only does the audience wonder whether Redwood will beat Nicklaus and take home his green jacket (he really seems to believe it!), but they have to wonder if Ethan and Redwood will once again have a normal life. The guys both want it.