The Rider (2018)
Once a rising star of the rodeo circuit, and a gifted horse trainer, young cowboy Brady is warned that his riding days are over after a horse crushed his skull at a rodeo. In an attempt to regain control of his own fate, Brady undertakes a search for a new identity and what it means to be a man in the heartland of the United States.
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This is an exceptional film, offering moments of beauty, compassion and humanity which stays with you long after the credits roll. The photography is exquisite. The acting is flawless. All in all, this is a moving piece of work that ought to go down in history as one of the most magnificent films of all time.
I expected this movie to be a slow moving drama, which I was looking forward to. It started slower than I anticipated, but as the movie continued, I realized I had witnessed something special. It was truly an amazing story, with great acting. This movie is not for everyone, but for those who are looking for a deep moving drama about dealing with our sense of purpose and identity, this is a must watch.
In a Lakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Brady Blackburn (Brady Jandreau) is recently recovering from brain damage due to a rodeo incident and finds it difficult to adjust to a safer lifestyle as he's not allowed to ride horses any more. Periodically, Brady visits a friend Lane (Lane Scott) in a care facility. Lane was also injured in a rodeo incident but much more severely than Brady.In the genre of "macho" films, "The Rider" is unique in a couple of ways. Firstly, the movie begins after the injuries rather than leading up to them as climactic moments. Secondly, rather than glorifying the sport of rodeo, it focuses on its aftermath after things go terribly wrong. Director/writer Chloé Zhao is courageous in taking this unconventional approach."The Rider" has a very serene quality to it aided by scenes that include beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Its subtle approach to the heartbreak of shattered dreams is slow-moving yet still effective. This film might have been dull but Zhao has a special touch to keep the viewer interested. She is well aided by Jandreau in the lead role, especially as Brady sees the reflection of his strong personality in a horse who is difficult to train. He also personifies the inner strength of the working poor.The film would have been richer if it addressed the issue of cruelty to animals used in rodeo. Despite this shortcoming, it is still a sweet, unconventional film.
Saw this at Sundance. Great film. None of the people in the film are actors. It aids in the realism but also is a testament to the director's ability. This is a subtle, emotionally impactful experience. By the end of it your heart breaks but is also hopeful. Good story of friendship and also coming to grips with not being able to do what you truly love to do. How does one make life meaningful?