This is a simple, endearing film that really hits home. Most people have been at an important crossroads at least once in their lives and know what it means to have someone there whose love can help you make decisions that might be harder, but in the long run, will be easier to live with. Everyone feels like Joe does in this film at least once in a lifetime. If we could all have a Ruby Jean in our lives, the world would be a better place. At first, you might think that the girl who plays Ruby Jean is doing a terrible acting job, but by the end of the film, you'll realize she was perfect for what they were trying to accomplish with the character. She's innocuous, intelligent, pure, and effervescent; and what appears to be a haphazard approach turns out to be perfect. Also, this might be my favorite Selleck role, and I've seen most of his films. He has moments of total perfection, particularly the scene where Ruby Jean confronts him about his drinking and the scene where he finally puts his roping horse out to pasture -- understated and elegant acting.
Review of Ruby Jean and Joe
