"The Last Rodeo" is the kind of movie that sparks a variety of emotions in a person, from feelings of joy and jubilation to anger and sadness.
It is the latest film from Angel Studios, the same studio responsible for the sleeper hit and global box office success "The Sound of Freedom." "The Last Rodeo" has an all-star cast with Neal McDonough (Joe Wainwright), Mykelti Williamson (Charlie Williams), Christopher McDonald (Jimmy Mack), and Sarah Jones (Sally Wainwright). Professional Bull Riding Association champion Daylon Swearingen is also part of the movie, which was filmed in collaboration with the PBR. McDonough said thanks to all the professional bull riders and bulls the PBR gave them to make the movie look authentic.
RedState was able to watch the film and can offer our readers a review of the movie, which McDonough told us is "really 'Rocky' on a bull… and I can't even put into words how excited I am for people to go and see this film. Because I know people are going to love watching this film."
"To save his grandson, a retired rodeo star [Wainwright] enters a high-stakes bull-riding competition," a description about the movie reads. "Along the way, he confronts his past, discovers faith, and proves that true courage lies in family."
The movie opens with a flashback to the past of Joe's last time on a bull. In the shot, we see him riding and a quick glimpse of his wife Rose in the stands, cheering for him as blood is running down her ear. Spoilers ahead.
It doesn't take long before we learn his daughter, Sally Wainwright, doesn't want her son to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, even though Cody started to ride bulls. While the two argue about how he "nearly got killed," after he rode drunk and broke his neck, they hear her son Cody yell for help from the other room.
They ended up taking him to the clinic because he couldn't stand and was throwing up. The doctor expressed concern and ordered an MRI, and soon, the family discovered Cody must undergo surgery as fast as can be arranged because he has a brain tumor. We later learn it's the same thing Rose died from.
There is good news and bad news. The good news is doctors feel sure they can operate to remove it, but the bad news is that insurance will only pay 40 percent, with a remaining bill of $75,250.
Joe doesn't hesitate and says the family can pay for it, as the daughter struggles to understand exactly how he would make that happen.
After making several calls, Joe decides to participate in the PBR Legends Championship event in Tulsa in three days. He also makes a call to an old pal, Charlie Williams, to help him win. The two haven't spoken since the last time they worked the arena circuit and Rose's passing.
"They've invited all past champion world riders to go up against their 20 best riders," McDonough's character said. "I gotta raise that money for Cody's surgery."
"He's my grandson, Charlie. You got a better idea?" he added when he got pushback. And when Charlie tells him he's going to get himself killed, he says, "I know."
Sally finds out exactly how Joe is going to get the money and isn't happy. "Do you remember everything you put us through?" she told her dad, ordering him not to do it.
Despite her insistence, Joe and Charlie head to Tulsa for the championship. Joe then starts training like crazy to try and get in shape for bull riding, something McDonough spoke to us about.
The actor said he practiced for months on a mechanical bull to get ready for the role and did tons of horse work. And yes, he is riding on a bull in the film; though he admits some of the intense scenes, he credits his stunt double and coach, three-time world champion professional bull rider Kyle Sherwood, with making it look great.
It is on the drive to the Legends event, Charlie opens up to Joe about how he wasn't there for him in a dark time, and Faith enters the film. Charlie tries to explain to his friend that he has to stop being mad at God for losing his wife.
After you recovered from your surgery, you didn't return my calls. Nothing…Even though I was out of work myself and I was in a very dark place, I needed a friend. I'd gotten so low, if I hadn't finally just looked up, found my Faith, I don't believe I'd have made it.
As you might have predicted, the two retired bull riders arrived at the event in Tulsa, and things did not go smoothly. On top of that, Joe learned his grandson's surgery was scheduled for the next day. The same day, he will get back on a bull. Halfway through the film, we finally see McDonough's character on the back of a bull.
Without spoiling too much of the film, Joe has quite a few challenges each night of the championship, including getting a call from Sally that the removal of the tumor isn't going well and they need to remove it due to "paralysis, speech loss, and brain impairment…"
While Joe still has another night to ride to win the first prize of $750,000, he told Charlie, "I need to get to the hospital. I need to be there for Cody and his operation. I don't have a good feeling about this."
When pressed by Charlie, Joe replied, "I'll tell you why. All that crap you have been feeding me giving me more than most, he also takes away too doesn't he. My wife, my career, now maybe my grandson. So you can preach to me all you want, but you don't really know what I'm feeling. You have no idea."
It is intense subjects like this scene that McDonough told us is the kind of movie you can take your family to see, but "It's not saccharine sweet" due to its heavy issues.
We can just say it's worth the ticket price without ruining the movie. This film, in our opinion, follows in the footsteps of classic films like 'It's A Wonderful Life." So, if you loved that movie, you will more than appreciate this one. Oh, and bring your tissues.
The film's gritty look perfectly complements the story. Reviews have been positive. At the time of this publication, critics on RottenTomatoes had given it a 73 percent fresh rating.
"The Last Rodeo" opens Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 23. You can check out their website for tickets and more information. So, run, don't walk, and enjoy this epic movie in theaters.
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