If there is only one movie you go see at the East Lansing Film Festival, let it be the movie that defines diehard hunters in Michigan.

“Escanaba in Da Moonlight” is the hilarious tale of four deer hunters and one DNR park ranger who explore the superstitions and importance of bagging a buck in the Upper Peninsula.

The film, written and directed by Michigan native Jeff Daniels, exposes some of the obsessions that haunt many deer hunters - such as eating the same sort of food on every journey to ensure success in the woods of Escanaba, the immediate belief of UFO sightings and abductions and the fear of DNR rangers (who are more powerful than God during deer camp).

The flick has many hilarious attributes to it, including the voices of the men glazed with a “Yooper” accent.

Daniels does a magnificent job at playing the lead character, who is shunned for being the only middle-aged man in his town who hasn’t gotten a buck yet.

The constant twists and odd-ended actions of Daniels provoke many laughs, while the solid father-figure presence of Harve Presnell lends to the “family tradition” theme of the movie.

His words demonstrate assurance and his strong-willed grin help make him a defining character whom many could relate to.

This flick is especially enjoyable for the Michiganian who hunts or knows people who hunt.

It stresses the importance of beer, hunting chants, ammunition, wilderness spirits and God, all wrapped up into a tight and meaningful story.

Although the point of the movie and some of the toilet humor is probably lost on those who live in highly urban areas, this movie is a treat for all Michiganians and definitely stands out as my pick at the East Lansing Film Festival.