Walking with Herb

2021 American film

Walking with Herb

Film poster

Directed by| Ross Kagan Marks
Screenplay by| Mark Medoff
Based on| Walking with Herb
by Joe Bullock
Produced by| Brian Espinosa
Ross Marks
Mark Medoff
Starring| Edward James Olmos
George Lopez
Kathleen Quinlan

Production
companies

Optimism Entertainment
Rio Road Entertainment

Release date

* April 30, 2021 (2021-04-30)

Country| United States
Language| English
Box office| $120,226[1][2]

Walking with Herb is a 2021 American comedy film directed by Ross Kagan Marks and starring Edward James Olmos, George Lopez and Kathleen Quinlan.[3] It is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Joe Bullock.[4][5][6][7] Olmos also serves as an executive producer of the film.[8]

## Plot Summary

[edit]

In a small New Mexico town, Joe and Shelia are a seasoned married couple grieving alongside their daughter Audrey, after the unexpected deaths of Audrey's Army physician husband and subsequently, her toddler daughter.

With his faith in God greatly diluted, especially so after the loss of his beloved granddaughter, current bank president / former amateur golfer Joe becomes bitter and angry with God. He begins to take out his frustrations on his office punching bag. Joe also attempts to verbally spur with his wife Shelia, who wisely deflects these verbal assaults. Audrey is three months behind on her home mortgage, and is struggling to maintain her financially draining nonprofit school for children, which happens to be $300,000 in arrears. Shelia remains strong in her faith, supports her husband and daughter and looks forward to maintaining and nurturing her flower garden for an upcoming judging event. Adding to Joe's problems, the bank examiner is breathing down his neck for not aggressively pursuing the foreclosure of his daughter's nonprofit school, "Jardin Del Sol".

Joe meets up with Herb, a motorcycle riding emissary of God with individualistic fashion sense on a makeshift golf course in the middle of nowhere. Of interest is his messengering service—a lovable dachshund named, "Sand Wedge". Herb explains to Joe that God has chosen him for a special mission, and that he is here to help Joe. Of course Joe is initially suspicious and distrustful of Herb. One rainy night, Joe contemplates suicide at the edge of a cliff. After an intense heart to heart, with Herb offering to let Joe have his way and end it all, Joe starts to mellow out and their relationship deepens. Herb's conversations are gleefully peppered with humor, nuggets of wisdom, common sense, and of course Bible verses. Herb becomes Joe's confidante, coach, spiritual guide and caddy.

Joe's special mission boosted his faith level. Joe's willingness to complete his mission (despite his initial and ongoing doubts) allowed him to grow his existing God given talents, which ultimately encouraged him to step away from his comfort zone and get the job done. Joe exhibited "stick-to-itiveness" on his journey, with the benefits reaching far beyond whatever Joe could have planned or imagined.

## Cast

[edit]

* Edward James Olmos as Joe Amable-Amo[9]
* George Lopez as Herb[10]
* Kathleen Quinlan as Sheila Amable-Amo[11]
* Jessica Medoff as Audrey Amable-Amo
* Johnathan McClain as Gabe Berkowitz
* Billy Boyd[3] as Archibald "Archie" Borthwick
* Christopher McDonald[3] as Wiley Saunders
* Melissa Chambers as Karen[12]

## Production

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Early in development, Mary McDonnell was attached to star in the film.[8][9][13]

Filming occurred in Las Cruces, New Mexico from September till October 2018.[5][14]

## Release

[edit]

Optimism Entertainment and Rio Road Entertainment initially planned to release the film theatrically in March 2021.[3][15] The film was released in select theaters on April 30, 2021.[16]

## Reception

[edit]

Joe Leydon of Variety gave the film a positive review, calling it "a genially pleasant comedy-drama that is elevated by the sincerity and conviction of actors (especially Olmos) fully invested in their roles."[17]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Walking With Herb (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
2. ^ "Walking With Herb (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
3. ^ a b c d Kay, Jeremy (10 November 2020). "Pure Flix/Quality Flix boards AFM sales on 'Walking With Herb' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
4. ^ KRQE Staff (2 December 2020). "New Mexico film 'Walking with Herb' set for international release". KRQE. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
5. ^ a b D'Ammassa, Algernon (29 October 2018). "Las Cruces film 'Walking With Herb' finishes shooting, due next fall". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
6. ^ Beasley, Brad; Hummer, John (28 October 2018). "'Walking With Herb' movie production good for our area". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
7. ^ D’Ammassa, Algernon (19 July 2018). "'Walking with Herb' caps busy summer for Las Cruces film production". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
8. ^ a b N'Duka, Amanda (25 June 2018). "Edward James Olmos, George Lopez & Mary McDonnell Star In Faith-Based Indie 'Walking With Herb'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
9. ^ a b "Author Solutions Announces Movie Based on the iUniverse Novel Walking with Herb Slated to Begin Production Next Month". PR Web. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
10. ^ Wakayama, Brady (6 December 2020). "NMSU professor's film a 'tribute' to Las Cruces". KRQE. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
11. ^ Alexander, Bryan (9 February 2021). "'Walking With Herb' trailer: George Lopez is God's peculiar messenger, here to save Edward James Olmos". USA Today. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
12. ^ Gomez, Adrian (18 December 2020). "Picking up the pace: NM actress Melissa Chambers getting auditions as 2 films near release". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
13. ^ "New Mexicans team up for latest independent film". Associated Press. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
14. ^ Gumprecht, Blake (16 October 2018). "'Walking With Herb' producers ask, and get, twice the funding from city". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
15. ^ "Las Cruces-filmed 'Walking with Herb' could get theatrical release date". Las Cruces Sun-News. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
16. ^ Billington, Alex (17 February 2021). "Edward James Olmos in Religious Drama 'Walking with Herb' Trailer". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
17. ^ Joe Leydon (May 6, 2021). "'Walking With Herb' Review: Edward James Olmos Lifts Faith-based, Golf-centric Comedy Drama". Variety. Retrieved July 30, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Walking with Herb at IMDb