THE RIDER – Review

Brady Jandreau as Brady Blackburn, in THE RIDER. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Brady Jandreau stars as a rodeo star and horse trainer who faces a life crisis after a serious injury in director/writer/producer Chloe Zhao’s Western/cowboy drama THE RIDER.

In this sensitive family drama, the former rodeo star plays Brady Blackburn, a young rodeo star who suffers a serious head injury and is told by doctors he must never ride again. At first Brady wants to just ignore this grim diagnosis and tries to resume his previous life but it becomes clear he will need to come to grips with the facts. Even without his rodeo career, Brady cannot imagine how he will make a living without horses. The son of horse trainers, he has trained horses his whole life and riding is how he finds peace in the world. He cannot see a life without horses.

Non-actor Brady Jandreau has a lot in common with this character, and the cast also includes family members Tim Jandreau and Lily Jandreau as his father and younger sister. It is not spelled out but details in the film suggest that Brady and his family are Native American. Brady wears a jacket that refers to Indian Rodeo, he goes to job center with posters promoting “Lakota Pride” on the wall, and his buddies sing songs that suggest Native American traditions. Brady’s mom is dead and there are hints that drinking may have played a role her death and perhaps that his sister appears to be developmentally-disabled.

The family is close but Brady’s dad puts a lot of pressure on his son to bring in money, while he seems to have problems with gambling and drinking himself. While Brady tells everyone he is “recovering” before returning to rodeo, he searches for a way to make a living without risking becoming further disabled. Despair is sometimes close at hand.  jury and is told by doctors he must never ride again. He might be able to give up rodeo but giving up riding seems incomprehensible. At first Brady wants to just ignore this grim diagnosis and tries to resume his previous life but it becomes clear he will need to come to grips with the facts. Even without his rodeo career, Brady cannot imagine

It is hard to judge how close this is to the real lives of the Jandreaus, but the authenticity is there. They do present a moving and convincing portrayal of a family on the edge. often touching and sometimes tense. When Brady becomes too stressed, it is often the company of horses he seeks, but he also draws comfort from being around his sunny-natured sister. Periodically he visits his best friend, a former rodeo star now severely disabled by injury and living in a nursing home/rehab center. Helping his friend cope with his disabilities helps Brady but it serves as a warning to him about what he might be risking.

The film offers what looks like an authentic glimpse inside this world, as well as insight into the life of someone facing losing the livelihood they love. First-time director Chloe Zhao gives us some beautiful, sweeping Western vistas and often focuses on Brady Jandreau’s handsome, subtly expressive face. The director also gives us a real sense of immersion in life in this community, where young cowboys tell stories around a campfire but sometimes sprinkle in traditional Native American beliefs, songs and prayers.

THE RIDER is a little film and its plot takes a familiar path, yet it offers rewards in its peek inside this special world, in the warmth of family, and in its quietly glorious Western scenery. The film opens in St. Louis on Friday, May 11 at the Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

RATING: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars