The Last Rodeo (2025)
🎬 The Last Rodeo (2025) – Full Movie Review | Directed by Jon Avnet
 |
| Theatrical Release Poster |
Quick Information
- Title: “The Last Rodeo”
- Director: Jon Avnet
- Writers: Jon Avnet, Neal McDonough, Derek Presley
- Producers: Darren Moorman, Stephen Preston, Ruvé McDonough, Neal McDonough, Jon Avnet, Kip Konwiser
- Production Companies: Brooklyn Films, The McDonough Company, Red Sky Studios
- Distributor: Angel Studios
- Genre: Drama, Faith-Based, Sports
- Runtime: 118 minutes
- Language: English
- Country: United States
- Budget: $8 million
- Box Office: $6.9 million
- Release Date: May 23, 2025
- Rating: PG (thematic elements, mild profanity, and violence)
🧑🤝🧑 Main Cast
- Neal McDonough as Joe Wainwright
- Mykelti Williamson as Charlie Williams
- Sarah Jones as Sally Wainwright
- Graham Harvey as Cody Wainwright
- Christopher McDonald as Jimmy Mack
- Daylon Swearingen as Himself
📖 Plot Summary
"The Last Rodeo" centers on Joe Wainwright, a retired rodeo champion who left the sport after a tragic accident and personal loss. Living a quiet life with his daughter Sally and grandson Cody, Joe is thrust back into the arena when Cody is diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. With mounting medical bills and limited options, Joe decides to compete in the high-stakes Legends Rodeo, aiming to win the million-dollar prize to fund Cody's surgery.
As Joe trains for his comeback, he seeks help from his estranged best friend and former bullfighter, Charlie Williams. The journey challenges Joe physically and emotionally, forcing him to confront past demons, mend broken relationships, and rediscover his faith. Along the way, Joe and Charlie revisit their shared history, the pain of lost friends, and the redemptive power of family.
🎭 Performances
- Neal McDonough delivers a compelling performance as Joe, portraying a man grappling with guilt, redemption, and the fierce love of a grandfather.
- Mykelti Williamson shines as Charlie, providing both comic relief and heartfelt moments.
- Sarah Jones portrays Sally with strength and nuance.
- Graham Harvey as Cody brings innocence and emotional weight.
- Christopher McDonald adds flair as Jimmy Mack.
🎥 Direction & Cinematography
Director Jon Avnet crafts a narrative that intertwines family drama with the adrenaline of bull riding. The use of GoPro footage and slow-motion sequences immerses viewers in the intensity of the rodeo. Cinematographer Denis Lenoir employs a muted color palette, reflecting the somber themes and the protagonist's internal struggles. The film’s pacing is deliberate, focusing on emotional development over spectacle, which benefits the deeply personal story.
🎵 Music
Composer Jeff Russo provides a subtle yet impactful score, enhancing the film's emotional beats without overshadowing the performances. Acoustic guitar-driven melodies and slow, emotional orchestration tie into the film’s themes of faith and redemption. Country-infused tracks also play during rodeo sequences, adding authenticity.
🎯 Themes
- Redemption – Joe’s journey is one of seeking forgiveness and making amends.
- Faith – The film explores belief and spirituality under duress.
- Family Bonds – The story emphasizes strong, resilient family ties.
- Courage – Joe’s decision to return symbolizes confronting fear and self-sacrifice.
- Aging & Legacy – The film also examines what we leave behind and how we are remembered.
📊 Critical Reception
- Rotten Tomatoes: Mixed reviews, praise for performances, criticism for predictability.
- Metacritic: Score of 59/100
- IMDb: 7.3/10 user rating
Critics noted the strong acting and heartfelt message but pointed out the film’s formulaic structure. Faith-based audiences, however, responded more positively to the film’s emotional depth and moral compass.
❌ Deleted Scenes
- Extended Training Montage: A longer sequence of Joe and Charlie training was trimmed down for pacing. These scenes included emotional dialogue on their past and deeper moments of struggle.
- Hospital Visit: A heartfelt scene between Cody and a fellow child patient was removed to keep the film's runtime under two hours.
- Joe's Dream Sequence: In an abstract dream, Joe is seen reliving his greatest rodeo wins and losses in a haunting mix of slow motion and silence. This sequence was cut due to tonal inconsistency.
- Flashback to Joe’s Wife: A brief flashback showing Joe and his late wife dancing was cut, though referenced later in dialogue.
📌 Facts About The Film
- The rodeo sequences were filmed at real competitive events across Texas.
- Neal McDonough performed several of his own stunts.
- The film was inspired by a real-life rodeo rider who returned to competition at age 60.
- The script underwent 11 revisions before filming.
- Real rodeo star Daylon Swearingen plays himself and mentored the actors.
- Shot over 38 days with a mix of handheld and drone cinematography.
🖼️ Awards & Recognition
- Heartland Film Festival: Best Inspirational Feature
- Faith & Family Film Awards: Winner – Best Lead Actor (Neal McDonough)
- American Rodeo Alliance: Honorary Award for Cinematic Representation of Rodeo Culture
🏆 Poster & Promotion
The main poster shows Joe Wainwright mid-ride on a bucking bull, American flag blurred in the background, symbolizing patriotism and perseverance. The tagline reads: “Every Ride Has a Purpose.” The poster received acclaim for its gritty, emotional tone and has been widely used in faith-based and sports film promotions.
Comments
Post a Comment