RELEASED TO VIDEO IN 2001 and directed by Xavier Koller, "Cowboy Up" concerns rural California brothers in the tough rodeo business: Ely, the younger brother, is a banged-up bull rider (Marcus Thomas) while Hank is a rodeo clown/contractor (Kiefer Sutherland). The former is romantically interested in a vet assistant (Molly Ringwald) while the latter has his eyes on a rodeo barrel racer (Daryl Hannah). Melinda Dillon plays the brothers' mother at their ranch. Russell Means, Bo Hopkins and Pete Postlethwaite are also on hand.
The film was meant to debut in theaters in 2000; and then early 2001. It was stuck on the shelf due to the distributor going bankrupt and was eventually released to video in late 2001. As an intended theatrical release, the film has polish, which can be observed in the haunting opening bull riding sequence. The story, however, is akin to the typical Lifetime flick, except mixed with stunning bull riding sequences.
It's interesting seeing Ringwald 12-15 years after her halcyon years as a teen icon in the mid-80s (I much prefer her here as a woman). Despite the prevalence of country tunes on the soundtrack, the creators wisely throw in a couple of rock ditties, like the kinetic "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" (1974). The movie's decent, I generally enjoyed it, but I wouldn't recommend it, except to fans of the cast or rodeos.
The Braxton Ranch in the movie is actually the abode of Gary Leffew, the Rodeo Hall of Famer.
THE FILM RUNS 1 hour 45 minutes and was shot in Santa Maria, California, and Las Vegas. WRITER: James Redford.
GRADE: C+ (5.5/10)
The film was meant to debut in theaters in 2000; and then early 2001. It was stuck on the shelf due to the distributor going bankrupt and was eventually released to video in late 2001. As an intended theatrical release, the film has polish, which can be observed in the haunting opening bull riding sequence. The story, however, is akin to the typical Lifetime flick, except mixed with stunning bull riding sequences.
It's interesting seeing Ringwald 12-15 years after her halcyon years as a teen icon in the mid-80s (I much prefer her here as a woman). Despite the prevalence of country tunes on the soundtrack, the creators wisely throw in a couple of rock ditties, like the kinetic "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" (1974). The movie's decent, I generally enjoyed it, but I wouldn't recommend it, except to fans of the cast or rodeos.
The Braxton Ranch in the movie is actually the abode of Gary Leffew, the Rodeo Hall of Famer.
THE FILM RUNS 1 hour 45 minutes and was shot in Santa Maria, California, and Las Vegas. WRITER: James Redford.
GRADE: C+ (5.5/10)