Ridin’, ropin’, buckin’ and brandin’. The American West hasn’t so much disappeared as made its last stand in places like Porcupine, South Dakota, home of frigid winters, parched summers and incurable cattleman Vern Sager. Filmmaker Jon Alpert documents 23 years in Vern’s life. It’s hard labor living as an icon, but it’s also a labor of love.  RR