This movie is absolutely terrible. Even with a Redford, a Hannah, a Sutherland, and an incredibly knowledgeable bullriding instructor, this movie failed to deliver in story, plot, and reality.
The main character is utterly unlikeable and many of his surrounding characters are so shallowly written that normally good actors can muster up, at best, USA movie of the week caliber performances. The writer did absolutely nothing to deepen the characters and as a result, the viewer knows nothing about Ely and could care less if he wins or loses.
On top of that *SPOILERS AHEAD*
The logistical details of teh rodeo life are pure fiction. He goes from riding PRCA to suddenly winning the PBR finals. He shows up for a rodeo with no intent to ride and is allowed on a bull at teh last minute, and many other things that a person with even a layman's grasp of rodeo would identify as pure fantasy. Even the tragic death at the end was so rushed and confused that I did not register any emotion. That and the ending made no sense what so ever. I'm sure he was trying to make some dramatic point about the sanctity of life, but at that point I was too bored to care.
The main character is utterly unlikeable and many of his surrounding characters are so shallowly written that normally good actors can muster up, at best, USA movie of the week caliber performances. The writer did absolutely nothing to deepen the characters and as a result, the viewer knows nothing about Ely and could care less if he wins or loses.
On top of that *SPOILERS AHEAD*
The logistical details of teh rodeo life are pure fiction. He goes from riding PRCA to suddenly winning the PBR finals. He shows up for a rodeo with no intent to ride and is allowed on a bull at teh last minute, and many other things that a person with even a layman's grasp of rodeo would identify as pure fantasy. Even the tragic death at the end was so rushed and confused that I did not register any emotion. That and the ending made no sense what so ever. I'm sure he was trying to make some dramatic point about the sanctity of life, but at that point I was too bored to care.