Broke

Wow, Broke got under my skin. Wyatt Russell's True, a rodeo rider crumbling under pain and pills, felt like he was speaking my language. His spiral into illegal meds to dull the ache, hit hard - too many of us know someone caught in that trap, or maybe we've been there, numbing life's hurts. It's a story that screams America today, where so many battle pain, physical or not, and reach for quick fixes. The way the film flips through True's life, from rodeo highs to hospital lows, felt like my own moments of looking back, wondering where I went wrong. The Montana snow and gritty country songs wrapped it all in a vibe that's pure heartland, raw and real. Dennis Quaid's turn as True's dad, full of tough love and regret, dug up my own family fights we don't talk about. Broke nails that universal struggle - pushing through pain, chasing dreams, and picking up the pieces. It left me gutted but somehow lighter.

This film left me thinking more about it when it was over. I guess my score is a bit harsh. I'm sticking with it though because it made me feel desperate & futile whist I was watching it and reminds me of troubles I have with my own children. Maybe that's the point of filming such stories. There are some predictable story lines, some direction you might not expect. Yes, I guess this is a modern day Western. I love the locations and the cinematography - go on, it's worth a watch. No spoilers here but it could have ended in a number of ways. I pondered why this had scored so highly on the Prime reviews and concluded it's all very credible, could happen and the relationships are well worked through.

First and foremost, not boring. The movie holds your interest from start to finish, and I for one find that the most important quality a film can have. I don't care how great a concept or idea is, if its deliverance has me bored while trying to get through it.

On the other hand, there's not a whole lot in this story, and certainly not much new. It's about a guy who never really found his place, but keeps trying. That's about it, so don't expect some huge mysteries, big revelations, gripping action scenes, haunting thoughts etc.

It is still interesting though, well made, well acted, so it's worth watching.

A little footnote: I personally loathe rodeos, and while stories involving rodeo people tend to be interesting, the sport itself feels vile to me. Watching human bodies flailing around violently on a bucking animal is almost physically painful to me. So if you're like me, expect lots of scenes showcasing slow motion bronc riding, and get ready to look away a lot.

Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid give a top notch relationship through a rugged, restrained intensity as an aging and faded rodeo rider and emotionally distant father, adding depth to their fraught dynamic. It could be argued as a played out stereotype, but I think it still added to the character background in a meaningful manner. Director Carlyle Eubank's debut is visually striking and thematically rich, with a haunting score and authentic atmosphere. Though the pacing lingers at times, the film's raw honesty and poetic structure make it a standout. A must-watch for fans of character-driven dramas.

Acting was great, story was interesting and held my attention for the whole movie. I wasnt really looking for drama but it wound up being worth it in the end. This story has a western feel with the music and scenery showcasing what could be real life without any underlying messaging that would not have fit the characters like so many movies try to do today. So many movies lose me when something or someone is introduced because the writers or directors want to make a social statement that doesn't fit the storyline. This movie doesn't have any of that and is just pure entertainment with a stellar performance by all the main characters. Seems like my boy Danger Dave may have been an uncredited rodeo clown in this movie.