What's eating Peter Yearwood? (Corbin Allred)
A couple years ago, his mother, Maggie (Ann-Margret), confronted his cheating father. He decided to make his mark by throwing himself into an empty pool, where he lost his hearing in a coma, and even now, he continues to distance himself from his mother. Being new to American Sign Language, he doesn't fit in very well at the Riverwall School for the Deaf either.
Maggie moves to Blue Dog, Arizona, twenty-five miles from Peter's school. Her cowboy neighbor, Owen Wister (Kris Kristofferson) puts the move on her. [and, I might add - who wouldn't, out there in the middle of Arizona?]
Peter eventually shows up at his mother's, carrying one very large chip on his shoulder. He's not real thrilled about seeing his mom kissing some cowpoke, either. As it turns out, a cowpoke with a past. He's done killed a man, and quietly considers leaving Blue Dog to make amends. Will he actually leave Maggie behind, now that he's finally found true love?
This is a pleasant little tried-and-true story. And whether you can enjoy it's simple TV plot, will depend on the appeal of the setting and actors. Personally, I couldn't really lose with this 1996 movie. Three of my interests are the basis for this story: American Sign Language, Native American Indian culture, and Ann-Margret.
I've never been a Kristofferson fan [I thought he ruined A Star Is Born, working opposite Babs], but he fit into his old jeans just fine for Blue Rodeo. Ann-Margret sometimes looked a little tired here [read: exhausted], probably because she was supposed to. Maybe it was just the fact she didn't get to smile very much.

Best Ann-part of the movie:

It's not that she didn't look good or perform well - she did.
But, it was just good to hear Ann-Margret sing again. The opening song, "Shape of My Heart," is pretty moody, and not your typical upbeat Ann-song.
Ladies and gentlemen, she's still got it.

What I want to say to the director:

Thanks for commenting on the frustration of post-lingual deafness.
Thanks for setting this in Arizona, instead of Manhattan or Paris.
Thanks for not touching any Native American rights issues in this movie.

How the movie ends:

Eventually, after Maggie and Owen take turns trying to settle him down, Peter accepts his mom's new love, and even finds a little sweetheart of his own. Owen leaves Blue Dog and Maggie, to do what a man's gotta do. (Even though he killed in self-defense). Maggie and Peter begin their bond as a family.
According to the Legend of Blue Dog, one wish is answered by sacrificing another............well, there ya' go.............
Closing scene: Maggie and Peter walk off, arm in arm, into the night.