Renegade (2011)

Kaylee DeFer is Mattie Springer, a pretty young woman living a harsh life in 1902 Arizona Territory while her dad pans for gold.

Her mother and youngest sister have died of cholera, leaving her to care for and raise three younger siblings, Billy, Sarah and Katherine.

Then handsome Zebediah Fulton (Ryan Doom) catches her eye at a church raising and the dance that follows.

But for Mattie, married life is hardly a respite. She winds up living in a shack at the mine her husband “works” with his younger brother Jacob (Ric Maddox).

Actually, Jacob does the work. Zeb is usually off on extended adventures, forever searching for richer mines, much to Mattie’s disgust.

Meanwhile, claims jumpers are terrorizing the region, figuring their killings will be blamed on marauding Indians.

And with Zeb gone, Mattie needs to learn for fend for herself. And deal with grief on her own when tragedy strikes again.

Kaylee DeFer as Mattie Springer, seeking advice from the pastor’s wife in Renegade (2011)

Ryan Doom as Zeb Fulton, the handsome young man who wins Mattie’s heart in Renegade (2011)

Review:

An odd little Christian film carried by Kaylee DeFer of Gossip Girl fame, who turns in a splendid performance as Mattie.

Actually, most of the cast does a decent job, but a meandering script lets them down.

And so little is seen of the top-billed villains — the claim jumpers — that one wonders if the film wasn’t chopped up at some point.

As it is, their motivation is so muddled that it’s every bit as confusing as it is suspenceful when they begin doing their claim jumping around Mattie’s home.

There’s also an odd tangent in which Mattie is being counseled by Clara Roberts, wife of the town’s new pastor.

Which is fine, until Clara hikes up her skirt and shows off the gun attached to her leg. Then takes Mattie out for shooting practice while reciting passages from the Bible.

The film was originally titled “Mattie” and should have stayed that way, because it’s really her story of perseverence and survival.

And don’t let the fact that it’s a faith-based film scare you off. The religious message isn’t heavy handed and you’re bound to find yourself rooting for this determined young woman.

Ric Maddox as Jacob Fulton, the man who stands by Mattie while his brother is chasing gold in Renegade (2011)

Chris Dunn as Jess Springer, Mattie’s widower father in Renegade (2011)

Directed by:
Michael Dohrmann

Cast:
Kaylee DeFer … Mattie Springer
Ric Maddox … Jacob Fulton
Ryan Doom … Zeb Fulton
Danielle Demski … Clara Roberts
Tony Yeatropoulus … Lockett
Lou Pimber … Chuy
Brandon Lee Pittman … Nate
Micah Bond … Walt
George Chatalas … Sheriff Marcus Carson
Larry Coulter … Parson James Roberts
Chris Dunn … Jess Springer
Matthew Maddox … Billy Springer
Susi Vidal … Sarah Springer
Quincy Cooper … Ellen Springer
Kati Vidal … Katherine Springer
Don Poage … Benjamin Springer
Teresa Shade … Mary Springer

Runtime: 89 min.

aka:
Mattie

Susi Vidal as Sarah Springer, Mattie’s younger sister in Renegade (2012)

Matthew Maddox as Billy Springer, Mattie’s mischievous younger brother in Renegade (2012)

Memorable lines:

Mattie Springer: “You’re not going to find me out there diggin’ some random holes in the desert. I’d rather pluck chickens and do laundry.”

Zeb Fulton to Mattie: “You are something else, ain’t you? You surely are the feistiest woman I ever knowed. Just be careful not to push me too far lest I forget my gentlemanly manners.”
Mattie: “And how far have you pushed me, Zebediah. I am your wife. But you’ve yet to become my husband.”

Mattie Springer, catching a glimpse of the gun strapped to the leg of the pastor’s wife: “Is that thing loaded?”
Clara Roberts: “Is there any other kind?”

Kati Vidal as Katherine Springer, Mattie’s youngest sister in Renegade (2011)

Danielle Demski as Clara Roberts, the pastor’s wife who takes Mattie under her wings in Renegade (2011)

Larry Coulter as Parson James Roberts, the new pastor in town in Renegade (2011)

Kaylee DeFer as Mattie Springer, admiring herself in a wedding dress she tries on in Renegade (2011)