The Last Rodeo

The movie has heart. Let's allow that everything worked, the story, the ensemble acting, even with the actual pro riders, the music, everything, except... -The choppy style of conveying the actual bull rides takes the audience OUT of the thrill of the danger rather than as it was obviously intended, putting us IN it.

-The climax. Wow, the movie had us in the palm of its hand. And then, instead of a Jerry Bruckheimer detonation, the fuse was lit, and then snuffed out. The light literally goes out. And then the ending, though satisfying, plays out more like a coda than a climax.

McDonough makes a great cowboy. I'm one among many that is grateful that movies like this are being made and watched. And a wonderful counterpoint to 90% of the shtuff coming out of Hollywood that is obligated it seems to contain an F word in every other sentence... and MUST be dark and edgy.

Again, how refreshing that the studio is making mature movies that live in the light of day.

To pay for his grandson's life-saving surgery, Joe, a bull rider well past his prime decides to come out of retirement and participate in a bull riding tournament.

Based on the trailer, this movie had a lot of potential, but it ultimately did not live up to it. The story is a standard redemption arch with a mix of emotion and faith. Some of the visuals and scenes are cheesy and campy. The rodeo scenes are entertaining and intense, giving a brief lesson on the sport. The runtime of one hour and fifty-six minutes seems drawn out and could have been compressed for a more streamlined experience. Fans of Angel Studios might consider streaming it when available.

The Last Rodeo From the start of the film to the end. You were always rooting for Neal McDonough's character Joe Wrainwright to succeed. This Mixed up family drama tells a heart felt story of a father and a grand father doing the right thing

His co star and army Buddy Mykelti Williamson (Charlie Williams) has not been in a better role since Forest Gump. Charlie and Joes relationship really moves you.

There is more to this film than Bull Riding

Christoper McDonald steps out of his villain Stereotype and makes you see another side of his acting talent if you don't need as much explosions this summer. Take your family to the Last Rodeo. You will be glad you did.

Greetings again from the darkness. Jon Avnet long ago established himself as a Director of such films as FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (1991) and RIGHTEOUS KILL (2008), and also as a Producer of films including RISKY BUSINESS (1983) and BLACK SWAN (2010). Beyond that, a significant portion of his career has been spent on television series, including two excellent ones in "Boomtown" and "Justified." In his latest film, the writer-director reunites two of the fine actors he worked with in those series, Neal McDonough and Mykelti Williamson. Avnet co-wrote the script with McDonough and Derek Presley.

Joe Wainwright (a ripped McDonough) is a legendary bull rider whose career ended when an injury required surgery on his neck and spine. Now, the three-time champion is many years past his rodeo days and lives a quiet existence on the ranch that he slowly sells off piece by piece to make ends meet. His wife Rose passed away and is buried on the ranch, and Joe longs for a closer relationship with his daughter Sally (Sarah Jones, CHEMICAL HEARTS, 2020) and her son Cody (Graham Harvey, "The Night Agent"). Sally is a protective mom who doesn't appreciate Grandpa encouraging him to rodeo. Instead, she prefers her boy play baseball, where during a game, Cody gets plunked in the head.

Cody's trip to the doctor reveals a brain tumor similar to the one that took Rose's life. Sally and Joe are stunned when they learn the cost of the surgery that could save Cody. Of course, we know where this is headed. Far-too-old and broken-down Grandpa wants to head back to the rodeo to earn the necessary funds and save his grandson's life. To do this, he calls a long-estranged friend, Charlie Williams (Mykelti Williamson), to help him. In addition to being Army buddies, Joe and Charlie were both bull riders ... well until Charlie's injury forced him to transition to bull fighter (in the dirt) in support of Joe.

The first half of the story serves as background for all the characters so that we understand why Joe is doing this, why Charlie is helping, and why we should be rooting for their success. We do get a brief training montage, and Charlie recites bible verses to Joe, who has lost his faith. He wonders why God would first take his wife, and now put his innocent grandson in peril. It should also be noted that Charlie thinks the idea of Joe riding again is a bit crazy, and poetically accuses him of having his "mind riding south".

The road trip to Tulsa for the PRB Legends Championship finds Joe being disrespected by the younger riders, including current champion, Billy Hamilton (real life bull rider Daylon Ray Swearingen). The rodeo is run by Joe's old buddy Jimmy Mack (Christopher McDonald, HAPPY GILMORE, 1996), and it seems odd that we meet no other 'legends'. Despite a few hiccups (some quite painful), Joe gets his ride.

This film uses the rodeo, but the core theme here isn't so much redemption (as it is with most sports movies), but rather love of family and reconnecting with one's faith. Values-based distribution company Angel Studios produced the film, and the message (with a light touch) rings clear ... be a good person. It's rated PG and there's a cameo from Lee Ann Womack and song by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Opens nationwide in theaters on May 23, 2025.

Angel makes some great movies. Sure sometimes they add a little to much sometimes, like a movie that's basically a trailer for a series, but they are all made with family in mind and that's super rare now days. I may not be religious but id like to take kids to the theaters without worrying they might see something inappropriate.this movie was a great one about a grandson that gets a tumor and grandpa has to come out of retirement to join the pbr and go against the young guns on wild bulls to win some prize money. They did everything well even though it was super beyond accurate.

Watched with mom, shad, and Ashley on 5-24-2025 at tinsletown at the mall.