Of Mice and Men (1992)

George and Lennie work on ranches and, to hear them tell it, those are usually the loneliest guys in the world. But these two aren't like that because they look out for each other. They've got also got a plan for the future, including buying a little house they know about with some chickens and rabbits, which Lennie will be allowed to tend. They'll have to get some money together first though and Lennie needs to practice being careful because he's too simpleminded to always understand his own strength.

But, for now, they've got new jobs bucking barley at Tyler Ranch. Curley, the owner's son, has a mean streak and believes Lennie to be an easy target. Then there's also the issue of Curley's wife, who's very pretty and very lonely. But George and Lennie prove themselves in the field and are accepted by the rest of the crew, eventually even bringing the aging Candy into their dreams of the future.

It's gorgeously shot and comes by its emotion honestly by staying true to the source material. Though I admit that I had to get acclimated to Malkovich's choice for Lennie's speaking voice, I was fully invested once I did and -- even with foreknowledge of how their story ends -- I truly bawled. It's a a confusing shame that this is the last thing Gary Sinise has directed.

B+