The Rider (B+ or 3/4 stars)
After suffering a near fatal head injury, a young rodeo bronc cowboy searches for a new identity in 'The Rider', written & directed by Chinese-American Chloe Zhao; who has a clear affinity for America's heartland. Brilliantly, Zhao employs a cast that consists entirely of non-professional Lakota Sioux actors from South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation. This lovingly melancholy docudrama revolves around 20 yr. old Brady Blackburn (Brady Jandreau, wonderful), who lives in poverty with his father, Wayne (Tim Jandreau), & his autistic teen sister, Lilly (Lilly Jandreau). Once a rising rodeo bronc cowboy star, Brady suffered immense brain damage from a terrible rodeo accident; weakening his right hand & leaving him subject to seizures. Much to his chagrin, his doctors have told him that riding will make them worse.
For comfort, Brady routinely visits his friend, Lane (Lane Scott), who lives in a care facility after suffering brain damage from a like accident. Brady's taciturn dad does little other than spending $$ on alcohol & gambling. And to fund their trailer, he sells their horse; which infuriates Brady. To make additional $$, Brady takes a job at a convenience store; and also makes $$ breaking-in horses. With his savings, he intends to buy another horse; specifically, a temperamental one named Apollo. Surprisingly, Brady's father actually buys it for him. Unfortunately, his riding & refusing to rest cause him to have a nearly fatal seizure. His doctors warn that any more riding whatsoever could result in his death. Upon coming home, Brady finds that Apollo has had an accident; permanently injuring a leg, which seals his fate. After a heated argument with his dad, Brady decides to enter a rodeo competition, despite the doctors' stern warnings. Nerve-rattling tension ensues.
'The Rider' is like watching poetry in motion. It's a delicate film that is lyrical, gentle, yet also confident in the hands of Chloe Zhao. Her film resists overt emotional manipulation, yet was able to move me in deep ways. I also liked how this quiet character study unfolds in a sort of docudrama way; offering a look inside a specific slice of prairie life, in the warmth of family, & at some glorious Western photography {replete with sprawling landscapes, moonlit campfires & hardened faces of stoic Indians}. Even on a small budget, the minimalist elegance of the cinematography is truly resplendent.
In his debut, Brady Jandreau's soft, beautifully understated performance is enough to elicit tears from your eyes. Jandreau makes you pull for Brady, no matter what choice(s) he makes -- he is easy to care about. Chloe Zhao's film, here, hauntingly explores issues of masculinity & self-worth in the American West tradition; blowing away your typical western film tropes about cowboys, Indians, and the like. Sure, viewers who crave high drama & propulsive action may find the elegiac pacing & dreary to be a big turn-off. But the spiritual journey of this one young man overrode any nagging issues I had with narrative or flow. 'The Rider' may be a small film, but it brims with humanity, heartbreak, & spirit.
For comfort, Brady routinely visits his friend, Lane (Lane Scott), who lives in a care facility after suffering brain damage from a like accident. Brady's taciturn dad does little other than spending $$ on alcohol & gambling. And to fund their trailer, he sells their horse; which infuriates Brady. To make additional $$, Brady takes a job at a convenience store; and also makes $$ breaking-in horses. With his savings, he intends to buy another horse; specifically, a temperamental one named Apollo. Surprisingly, Brady's father actually buys it for him. Unfortunately, his riding & refusing to rest cause him to have a nearly fatal seizure. His doctors warn that any more riding whatsoever could result in his death. Upon coming home, Brady finds that Apollo has had an accident; permanently injuring a leg, which seals his fate. After a heated argument with his dad, Brady decides to enter a rodeo competition, despite the doctors' stern warnings. Nerve-rattling tension ensues.
'The Rider' is like watching poetry in motion. It's a delicate film that is lyrical, gentle, yet also confident in the hands of Chloe Zhao. Her film resists overt emotional manipulation, yet was able to move me in deep ways. I also liked how this quiet character study unfolds in a sort of docudrama way; offering a look inside a specific slice of prairie life, in the warmth of family, & at some glorious Western photography {replete with sprawling landscapes, moonlit campfires & hardened faces of stoic Indians}. Even on a small budget, the minimalist elegance of the cinematography is truly resplendent.
In his debut, Brady Jandreau's soft, beautifully understated performance is enough to elicit tears from your eyes. Jandreau makes you pull for Brady, no matter what choice(s) he makes -- he is easy to care about. Chloe Zhao's film, here, hauntingly explores issues of masculinity & self-worth in the American West tradition; blowing away your typical western film tropes about cowboys, Indians, and the like. Sure, viewers who crave high drama & propulsive action may find the elegiac pacing & dreary to be a big turn-off. But the spiritual journey of this one young man overrode any nagging issues I had with narrative or flow. 'The Rider' may be a small film, but it brims with humanity, heartbreak, & spirit.