Peter Fonda has gone through a remarkable evolution during his 34-year movie career.
He began with bland, straight-arrow leading-man roles in pictures like "Tammy and the Doctor" (1963), which led to his being classified more as merely a member of the Fonda acting dynasty - Henry's son and Jane's brother - than with any identity of his own. (These days we could add that he's Bridget's father.)But eventually Fonda became an icon for an era, with his free-spirited portrayal of "Captain America," a rebel with a cause in the international blockbuster "Easy Rider" (1969).
Now Fonda is starring in "Ulee's Gold" as a Florida beekeeper trying to raise his grandchildren in a sea of domestic turmoil. And it's the sort of low-key, stoic, man-of-integrity role for which his late father became famous in pictures like "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), "Mister Roberts" (1955) and "Twelve Angry Men" (1957).
As an actor, Fonda has seldom, if ever, played such an uncharacteristically quiet, reflective role. There are even a few uncanny moments in "Ulee's Gold" where Peter strongly resembles Henry.
"That comparison's been there forever," Fonda said during a telephone interview from Los Angeles during an extensive promotional tour for the film. "I've learned to accept it as a compliment. And secretly, this is an homage to my dad. I always loved him in film, his kind of characters. My only sadness is that he's not here to see me do this."
Later he muses, "Yeah - Captain America's a grandfather."
Despite all the publicity about "Ulee's Gold" marking a comeback for Fonda, he's quick to point out that he's never really been away. "This is my 47th film, and I've worked steadily and enjoyed it. Not all of them were great films, but a few were.
"It's what I do. And I'd love to be able to work for the rest of my life. Actually, that's how I'd like to go out - working. I'd love to be on the set at the last minute and hear these words: `That's a wrap. The negative's clean. What happened to Fonda?' "
The success and fame Fonda gained nearly 30 years ago with "Easy Rider" has been both a blessing and a curse. While it has kept him working, it's also given casting directors a stereotype - Peter Fonda as counterculture guru.
So when independent filmmaker Victor Nunez began looking for a middle-aged actor to play Ulee, Fonda (who is 58) had to convince him he could do it. "The script was sent to actors in the Screen Actors Guild book who were 46 to 62 years old, and when I read it I thought it was the best I'd ever read. But I also thought, `They'll never give this to me.'
"Fortunately, I have a lot of frequent flyer miles, so I flew down (to Florida) and met with Victor. And after I left, while I was still in my car, my agent called and said, `They want you to play the part.' "
Nunez is the only filmmaker to win two dramatic Grand Jury Prizes at the Sundance Film Festival (for "Gal Young Un" in 1981 and "Ruby in Paradise" in 1993). "This man's a great director. He operates the camera, edits the film, writes and directs it."
And though it was an out-of-competition entry, "Ulee's Gold" had its world premiere at Sundance this past January. "First of all, I love Bob Redford. He's been a friend, and so I was pleased to be a part of that thing.
"And just to be seen there, to have the chance to be enjoyed by the people. They were all amazed, which secretly thrilled me. And it's very strange, really far out to have this feeling that everybody wants me to come back."
But the greatest review Fonda has received on his performance came from his wife prior to the Sundance experience. "We were watching it for the first time. It was a `scratch track' print on video, with bad picture, temporary music and uneven sound. And we were watching it all alone, in our log house up in Montana. And when it was over, she gasped and said, `I forgot I was watching you.' "
Though "Ulee's Gold" is going out against the summer's big guns - "The Lost World," "Batman & Robin" and other studio blockbusters, Fonda isn't worried. "We're like David and Goliath, and I've got the gem in my sling.
"People will drop their kids off and go see `Ulee's,' because they want to see a more thoughtful movie, a more provocative movie. After awhile, they've had enough popcorn. There are Goliaths all around us, but we're so different that the demographics aren't damaged. It's nice to go out in the face of danger, in a way."
Meanwhile, Fonda hopes the response to "Ulee's Gold" will help raise his profile in the mind of casting directors for studio projects. He also has his autobiography scheduled for publication in the fall.
And he continues to live away from Hollywood egos. "Montana is so stress-free. And it's got the best trout fishing in America.
"I'm in love with a woman who wanted to have her home near her ex-husband's ranch so he would have access to their son. That wouldn't happen (in Los Angeles).
"I love to fly fish, and I ride motorcycles over long distances, riding over five or six (mountain) passes. And I ride down through Utah, down to the Four Corners area. That's a long ride, and I just enjoy it. I don't like freeways - I love the side roads.
"It's like being a cowboy without any fences."
Or Captain America.