King of California

As soon as 'quirky' or 'offbeat' comes up, it's usually warning radar for a good dose of corniness, but the preview looked so good, I had to rent this. It doesn't disappoint! Wood and Douglas are both wonderful in their daughter-father roles. Douglas really makes you root for his character, Charlie. Miranda has quit high school to work at McDonald's and pay the rent on the old family home while he's 'away', only to find when he gets out that he is ridiculously obsessed with finding supposed Spanish treasure hidden in the urban jungle of California. Miranda tries not to play along, but Charlie's intense vigor for his pursuit and freewheeling optimistic attitude make a reluctant believer out of her. Their treks through golf courses, land developments, sod farms and finally, that consumer giant of all, Costco! are a reminder of what California used to be, a wild land of opportunity and wonder and open desert, rather than mini-malls and concrete. This movie captures the sentiment without being syrupy and the 'never give up' attitude of Charlie is a reminder to live life by following your dreams, no matter how farfetched.