A dispirited middle-aged man, nostalgic for Roy Rogers and the innocence of youth, searches the West for his estranged father.

SYNOPSIS:

WILLIE (60s), a depressed Black man living in Texas, purchases an enormous stuffed bison as a talisman because it reminds him of his childhood dreams and his hero, Roy Rogers. SALLY (60s), his wife, is frantic with preparations for the wedding of their son, JAMES (30s). Willie receives word JOSEPH (80s), his father, has surfaced at a retirement home in Denver. Willie has unresolved issues from being abandoned at six that strain his relationship with his own son. Willie, retired after thirty tedious years, acquires a sad old dog named Roy , and a beat-up old RV. He plans to travel out west, have adventures, and perhaps see his father. Sally encourages him to go in the hopes he'll find himself. The women of Bison Man humorously counter the epic self-involvement of the men throughout the story.

Willie stops on the road to watch bison grazing. When a motorcycle gang spooks the bison, Roy is saved from being trampled by JOHN LITTLE WOLF (60s), a Crow Indian. Willie agrees to drive John to his reservation. Willie and John immediately bond as they share father and son issues in addition to family problems with alcohol. Willie loves the depressed reservation and the Crow people he meets. MARY (50s), John's outgoing wife, teaches him how to ride a horse. John's troubled son gets drunk and reminds Willie of his unresolved issues with his father.

Willie and Roy share an idyllic detour to Yellowstone and the Tetons, then have a touching conversation about God and the meaning of life over hot dogs. The wedding looms in a little over a week as Willie approaches the retirement center with trepidation. Joseph sees him for a moment, but spews his resentment at his abandonment by Willie and his mom. In his confused state Joseph rants they didn't support him when he needed help. He refuses to see Willie for a week. Willie makes one last effort to talk to his father, but is rebuffed. Willie exits in a rage, vowing to never return. On the drive to Austin Willie's beloved RV is demolished when he stops to help a pregnant woman in a roadside accident.

Willie returns home deeper in despair. Sally attempts to revive him, but fails. As the wedding draws within a few days, Willie receives a call that his father is dying. Against his wife's wishes Willie flies to Denver, and risks missing his son's wedding. In a poignant scene Willie and his father share a final moment of reconciliation and forgiveness. Willie makes funeral arrangements, then is trapped in Denver by a blizzard. He rents a truck and sets out in a blinding storm for home. In the tradition of his hero, Roy Rogers, Willie makes the hard ride back to Austin in time for the wedding. Willie, Roy and Sarah hit the road in the salvaged RV.

BISON MAN