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8

GrantD243Jun 7, 2018

I didn't know a whole lot about The Rider as I walked into the cinema to see it. I didn't watch a trailer for it, and I didn't read anything about it beforehand. All I had seen was the poster for it that my local indie theater had out in theI didn't know a whole lot about The Rider as I walked into the cinema to see it. I didn't watch a trailer for it, and I didn't read anything about it beforehand. All I had seen was the poster for it that my local indie theater had out in the lobby, which claimed that it had won several Spirit awards. From the poster, all I really gathered is that it was about a cowboy. I didn't know that it was loosely based on a true story, or that the people from that true story played themselves in the film, or that it was directed by a Chinese filmmaker. And I'm glad that I didn't. If I had never found out that the people from the real life story played themselves in this film (which I found out shortly after watching it), I would have continued to think that regular actors were in this film. The acting by the main family, and the others involved, is very, very good considering they aren't actors. They're just people that lived an interesting story. Very impressive. The Rider is a Western, but not in the traditional sense. There is no action, there is no grand adventure, but there is, in a sense, a journey. The film begins shortly after Brady gets injured in a rodeo accident. It shows his road to recovery, and everything he has to deal with. It shows how he deals with the prospect of having to give up the only thing he's ever really done, and how heartbreaking the that can be for someone. It's a story that is fairly balanced between hopefulness and sadness, with a little hint of happiness. The only real problem I have with The Rider is that the first third of the film didn't hook me at all. I was starting to lose some interest by the time the second act rolled around, but then it hooked me, and it hooked me hard. I was at full attention for the remainder of the film. But, the first act is still fairly weak, which brought my final score of the film down from the 9.0 or so it probably would have gotten otherwise. The cinematography in this film is bloody excellent. The director made sure to insert various scenic shots throughout the film, all of which are beautiful and really cement in your mind that this is a Western film. Overall, I think that The Rider is going to go down as one of my favorite films of the year. I look forward to watching it again in the future.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

ScraperJul 11, 2018

A slow, quiet, albeit honest journey of a young man's struggle to make it back to the rodeo scene after his accident. Many films take this path of bordering reality television recently: walking cameras, breathy close-ups. I didn't think itA slow, quiet, albeit honest journey of a young man's struggle to make it back to the rodeo scene after his accident. Many films take this path of bordering reality television recently: walking cameras, breathy close-ups. I didn't think it was as introspective as it postures to be. It's hard to make an impact when a story barely raises it's pulse.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

Mauro_LanariJan 24, 2020

(Mauro Lanari)
"Dreams die at dawn", but director Zhao fails "to draw a sincere universal parable of acceptance of one's own limits" since this young Lakota Sioux limits himself to dreaming little, to a "tame the life" reduced to a "get back(Mauro Lanari)
"Dreams die at dawn", but director Zhao fails "to draw a sincere universal parable of acceptance of one's own limits" since this young Lakota Sioux limits himself to dreaming little, to a "tame the life" reduced to a "get back on the horse", although "in dreams begins responsibility" (Yeats, 1914). The result is a "The Horse Whisperer" (Redford, 1998) for indie palates and a forlornness that struggles to transform from local to global. In reversed roles, it was more touching "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" (Pollack, 1969).… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

BHBarryMay 1, 2018

“The Rider” is a rare and unique film (i.e. docudrama) based on the real life story of a young rodeo rider named Brady Jandreau. To understand the film properly, the viewer must know that in 2016 Brady was thrown from the horse he was riding“The Rider” is a rare and unique film (i.e. docudrama) based on the real life story of a young rodeo rider named Brady Jandreau. To understand the film properly, the viewer must know that in 2016 Brady was thrown from the horse he was riding and kicked in the head by its hoof. He had a metal plate inserted in his head and was told that he would never ride again. This real life drama was witnessed by filmmaker Chloe Zhao who at the time was on the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Reservation directing her film “Songs My Brothers Taught Me”. Ms. Zhao then wrote and directed the story of Brady Jandreau’s ability to cope with and seek to override the debilitating disability he suffered in his rodeo mishap. What is so unique about this film is that, not only Brady, but his real life sister (mentally underdeveloped 15 year old Lily) and his father, Tim, non-actors all, play themselves in this deep and involved story of life in the mid-west and especially those career cowboys whose lives exist on horseback or bulls, depending on the rodeo event they are in. In addition to the Jandreaus, the film employs the friends of the family including Lane Scott, who plays himself, a rodeo rider severely injured in an automobile accident which not only ended his career but left him a quadrapalegic. Brady Jandreau’s performance is outstanding and hard to reconcile with the fact that this non-actor, playing himself, could give such a meaningful portrayal of how a cowboy who knew only horseback riding can find his way back to adjust and survive with the difficult hand he was dealt. Ms. Zhao’s sensitivity and skill is manifested, not only in the ability to elicit such beautiful performances from her novice cast but to capture the sunrises and sunsets of the Dakota territory where the movie and real life events actually occurred. I give this film a 9.0 and urge that it be seen by all who can appreciate that truth can be much more awesome and powerful than fiction.… Expand

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

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10

The3AcademySinsMay 4, 2018

The Rider was a film that truly moved me in ways that I really did not expect it to. A haunting, beautiful reflection on what happens to people when their dreams die, and how clinging to a dream is sometimes more harmful than letting it go.The Rider was a film that truly moved me in ways that I really did not expect it to. A haunting, beautiful reflection on what happens to people when their dreams die, and how clinging to a dream is sometimes more harmful than letting it go. Every single character in this movie suffers from either an injury, disability, or impairment, and that was a really clever choice on the director's part. This is also a "docu-drama" based on a true story, with the actual people who this happened to playing themselves! That honestly makes it even more of an incredible film! The shots are gorgeous, and the west is really captured well on film. Brady was a very relatable character, and I was with him every step of the way. This is definitely not a film to be missed.… Expand

8 of 10 users found this helpful82

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9

dannycvegaApr 23, 2018

Visually stunning, emotionally arresting, and profoundly empathetic, I came into this movie not expecting too much from a horse film, and I left teary-eyed and satisfied. Reading some of the so-so reviews, it's clear that some reviewers areVisually stunning, emotionally arresting, and profoundly empathetic, I came into this movie not expecting too much from a horse film, and I left teary-eyed and satisfied. Reading some of the so-so reviews, it's clear that some reviewers are caught on the culture depicted and its greater context in America (horse culture = Trump country), these people have missed the mark entirely and frankly, should be kicked by a horse. This movie is great precisely because it is about truths much bigger than rodeos and bipartisan American politics. It will hit you in the heart if you let it.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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9

kl0bryanMay 14, 2018

The Rider is a gem of a movie. The film setting and story is what leads to a 9 rating. The acting is quite good for people who are not professional actors. I hope the movie is able to be seen on more screens. The limited access isThe Rider is a gem of a movie. The film setting and story is what leads to a 9 rating. The acting is quite good for people who are not professional actors. I hope the movie is able to be seen on more screens. The limited access is going to mean too few people will see what is really a very good movie. No special effects, no large budget stages, no costumes. Everything is just raw and real. I know lots of people will leave teary eyed. The ending is not your typical Hollywood ending. A way of life is on full display throughout the story. The movie is not about rodeos or cowboys or Indians. It is about a boy, his family and his friends playing the hand dealt to them.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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6

SonrisasMay 11, 2018

Good points: 1) Movie provides an inside look at Bronco riding and the young men who love it. We see the tremendous heart and passion that riders have for their sport--even in the face of debilitating injuries suffered. 2) There is a niceGood points: 1) Movie provides an inside look at Bronco riding and the young men who love it. We see the tremendous heart and passion that riders have for their sport--even in the face of debilitating injuries suffered. 2) There is a nice family story here. Bad points: 1) the acting is a bit better than in Clint Eastwood's recent film, "The 15:17 to Paris" about the foiled terrorist attack, but both movies suffer from so so acting due to using the real people who went through the life situation. 2)the movies drags at times with slow pacing; 3) I did not experience the wrenching gut punch of emotion described by the reviewers--perhaps my expectations were too high. The movie was just okay for me; not sure what all the buzz is about.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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7

ahmedaiman9999Aug 17, 2018

There is a lot to like about The Rider; The cinematography is gorgeous, with a lot of shots showing the treeless meadows that reflect the protagonist's feeling of loss and emptiness.
Brady Jandreau's acting is so genuine and honest.
There areThere is a lot to like about The Rider; The cinematography is gorgeous, with a lot of shots showing the treeless meadows that reflect the protagonist's feeling of loss and emptiness.
Brady Jandreau's acting is so genuine and honest.
There are some truly great moments that will make you instantly engaged with every character in them. I don't even want to say anything about these scenes, I don't even want to mention the characters they include, because they are unbelievably effective and very poignant.
The movie's message of perseverance and determination also should be considered and appreciated.

The grave issue I have with this movie is its tone.
I love character-driven stories, because they make me close to the main character. In other words, they put me in the protagonist's shoes, or even make me inside his mind. But The Rider's tone is so lifeless, and the story is almost uneventful. Of course, the movie should reflect the gloominess and bleakness of its subject matter, but the tone doesn't pick up even when the story do. Add to that, the movie lacks in dramatic intensity. Aside from some very touching scenes that can break your heart even if you haven't seen the entire film, the movie is so boring and phlegmatic. Honestly, I was bored most of the time while watching it. The dialogue also could have been better. it's so weak and clichéd.

All the performances are good, especially Brady Jandreau as Brady Blackburn, except for the actor who played his dad. His acting is very weak as his bland and flat character.

I had mixed feelings about The Rider. I found it monotonous, and I was bored to death. Nevertheless, I cared about the main character and almost every character around it, I appreciated its message, I was fascinated by its stunning cinematography, and I adored its tear-jerking ending.

(7/10)… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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9

AugustKellerJun 4, 2018

It is rare for a film to be as moving as The Rider. Taking place in the smallest of settings while being unveiled as the slowest of paces, a heartfelt story is told with the upmost care. While the core plot of The Rider is an old one, theIt is rare for a film to be as moving as The Rider. Taking place in the smallest of settings while being unveiled as the slowest of paces, a heartfelt story is told with the upmost care. While the core plot of The Rider is an old one, the precision with which this film is crafted elevates the experience to a level of relatability and immersion that few motion pictures achieve. From top-notch casting to seamless editing, this is a movie done right.

The direction, sound and acting of The Rider will garner praise for their elite qualities but it is the cinematography of this film that is the real gem. Whether it’s the extended takes of genuine, emotional interactions between living creatures or the deeply cinematic sequences of horse-riding through the sunset, the camerawork of The Rider is undeniable. There is much to love about The Rider and it is because of this diversity in its strengths that the film truly succeeds in a real way. If The Rider doesn’t make you feel something, nothing will. Writing: 7/10
Direction: 9/10
Cinematography: 10/10
Acting: 9/10
Editing: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 10/10
Effects: 7/10

Overall Score: 8.5/10

Original Article: https://thefilmguys.blog/reviews/augusts-reviews/the-rider-2018/… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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8

TVJerryJun 10, 2018

This film starts as a laconic look at a young rodeo rider who's suffered a major concussion (Brady Jandreau). As he begins to recover, he deals with the possibility that he'll never be able to compete again. By the end, it's become anThis film starts as a laconic look at a young rodeo rider who's suffered a major concussion (Brady Jandreau). As he begins to recover, he deals with the possibility that he'll never be able to compete again. By the end, it's become an intimate and compassionate portrait of this sweet, talented man. What makes this even more compelling is that the cast is full of non-actors, including Jandreau, his real-life father and his sister, who has Asperser's Syndrome. Their performances are all real and affecting. The scenes where Jandreau trains wild horses are especially fascinating. The creation of this specific cowboy world is made even more involving thanks to Chinese director Chloé Zhao's quiet observations and compelling use of real people (primarily Lakota Sioux). This is an atmospheric and ultimately touching character study set in a unique culture.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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8

netflicMay 14, 2018

This is a second movie by young US-educated Chinese director/writer Chloé Zhao
where she shows life of an Indian Lakota tribe in South Dakota.
 The protagonist Brady is a young but already famous bronco rodeo rider. He lives to ride and trainThis is a second movie by young US-educated Chinese director/writer Chloé Zhao
where she shows life of an Indian Lakota tribe in South Dakota.
 The protagonist Brady is a young but already famous bronco rodeo rider.
He lives to ride and train horses. This is something he could not live without. And then life gives him a terrible blow: he gets injured and may no longer ride horses.
 The movie is slow but emotionally charged. Life is hard, and choices are even harder. Watching the movie you feel a lot of empathy towards those people.
 In the end when titles start rolling we realize that there are no professional actors in the movie, all people play themselves. And there is not a single moment when the movie felt false.

I will not be surprised to see the film in the Oscar's list.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

Brent_MarchantApr 27, 2018

It's mystifying to me what so many have seen as praiseworthy in this formulaic exercise in utter predictability. This celebration of reckless uber-macho behavior as something noble to which the inner cowboys in all men should aspire is ladenIt's mystifying to me what so many have seen as praiseworthy in this formulaic exercise in utter predictability. This celebration of reckless uber-macho behavior as something noble to which the inner cowboys in all men should aspire is laden with heavy-handed, patently obvious metaphor that even the most casual moviegoer can see coming long before it appears on the screen. Other than some impressive cinematography and a fine lead performance by Brady Jandreau, it's hard to understand why this otherwise-mediocre offering has garnered so much attention and so many accolades. Maybe my lack of interest in the Western genre is unduly coloring my opinion here, but, with a narrative that's easy to figure out and a litany of increasingly archaic ideals that are questionable at best, it's difficult to say anything positive or redeeming about this highly overrated release.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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1

bataguilaNov 14, 2018

Horrible, no pasa nada, su hermana lela no tiene caso, el no tiene caso, nada tiene caso, es aburrida, contemplativa, la tuve q adelantar para terminarla

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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2

OlivierPielJul 6, 2018

Slant critic is spot on once again. And is generous with her score. It's a dry and very uninspired exercise in social realism that never elevates itself to create any sense of beauty. Very bad cinematography. Horrible use of close-up. GoodSlant critic is spot on once again. And is generous with her score. It's a dry and very uninspired exercise in social realism that never elevates itself to create any sense of beauty. Very bad cinematography. Horrible use of close-up. Good nice heartfelt feelings never make for good art. This is another example. Another Oscar bait (life-broken, tortured lead character, minorities, etc...) fooling so-called cultured critics and snobs.
If you like horses zebras or asses, better watch Bressons"au revoir Balthazard". That is cinema.… Expand

1 of 12 users found this helpful111

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8

GreatMartinMay 11, 2018

First, and foremost, "The Rider" is a highly recommended film though it is sad, depressing, poorly edited with the latter making it slow moving setting up the story.

Last week I saw "Lean On Peter" which was a story about a boy and a horseFirst, and foremost, "The Rider" is a highly recommended film though it is sad, depressing, poorly edited with the latter making it slow moving setting up the story.

Last week I saw "Lean On Peter" which was a story about a boy and a horse also sad but with a Hollywood ending that just didn't fit. (Where is Elizabeth Taylor and "National Velvet" when you need them?)

The first startling thing about "The Rider", though not really known, is that it is based on a true story and includes the lead, his father, (Tim Jandreau) a man's man who finds it hard to express his love for his son and is also a man who has settled for less. His sister, Lilly (Lilly Jandreau) mentally challenged who clearly worships her brother and best friend, who have never acted before playing movie versions of themselves and all excellent, believable and honest as far as the audience can tell. Brady (Brady Jandreau) is a man with a dream who discovers he may not have that dream due to a severe injury when a horse stomped on his head in a rodeo. He sees the result of what can happen if he continues every time he visits his best friend Lane (the real Lane Scott) who can no longer speak or walk, is paralyzed and will likely spend the rest of his life institutionalized because of his rodeo life. The scenes between Brady and Lane are both sad and uplifting. We follow Brady as he clearly wants to get back into the rodeo life but while he is recovering he spends time training horses for which he seems to have a natural instinct for, almost as if he is a 'horse whisperer', especially for one horse called Apollo. We see what he wants to do and what he can do and whether he will have to compromise with his life. There is a lot of drama in following how and why Brady comes to the decision he does but it is more of the solving the mystery of the man than in 'dramatic' scenes, except, possibly, two scenes between him and his father.

In a way "The Rider" seems to be a look in the past but is still alive in South Dakota where the movie was filmed. His friends are cowboys as they are imagined by the audience but real. They drink, sit around campfires, play guitars, trade stories, pick on, care for and tease each other. You don't know if they are actors playing real people or real people acting in being themselves.

Chloe Zhao, the director/screenwriter of "The Rider" is a Chinese woman who lives in Colorado and has fallen in love with the people and the scenery of South Dakota, the latter photographed by Joshua James Richard. There is no debating of the beauty of that part of the country but the editor, Alex O'Flynn, allowed Zhao two too many moon and mountain shoots, too many plains scenes and, yes, as beautiful as they may be, too many similar horse scenes, slowing the movie down when they could have been cut without harming the movie, making it tighter. Is Brady Jandreau as stoic, as natural looking, as deep thinking in real life as he is in the movie?

Though I am sure there were no animals harmed in the making of the picture do we really have to see the skinning of a rabbit? There are 4-5 scenes of graphic injury to humans and animals, which are part of the life these people leave but it isn't necessary to show them and can just be indicated.

"The Rider" is a movie that caused a lot of the audience to talk to each other in the lobby and more than one asked about where it was filmed (didn't catch it in the credits) while many discussed the director. The most common question was, "What is Brady doing today?"

Along with all the questions and comments the audience tended to agree it was a sad and depressing movie but a powerful one.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

amheretojudgeJan 14, 2019

The Bitter Truth.

The Rider Zhao's pathos drama that eerily is of an antithetical nature, proposes a much bigger question that every being lives for or has lived for. The theme somewhat resonates with Coen Brothers's Inside Llewyn Davis,The Bitter Truth.

The Rider

Zhao's pathos drama that eerily is of an antithetical nature, proposes a much bigger question that every being lives for or has lived for. The theme somewhat resonates with Coen Brothers's Inside Llewyn Davis, only a bit less darker, but equally promising and inspiring. This character driven feature dwells upon the inner resistance of ones- drunken with oneself's attraction or weakness towards a subject and the conscience practical decision towards right and wrong- this is a film that required a narrator or an inner monologue. But Zhao's bold steps on not to keep one favors immensely on her side through her brilliant execution, these silent pitches where she milks out the essential drama remains the highlight of it.

And through brilliant performance and meticulous script that uses enough props to express views and intentions, the message is sound and clear. Another beautiful aspect of the feature is the interaction of our protagonist with horses, the way he tames and communicates with them, it doesn't require any verbal sparring to mesmerize you. And fabricating this drama into a compelling action, is Jandreau, delivering a stellar performance to observe at.

To be fair, his character is much more endearing than our usual protagonist is, he helps his friends even at their worst, he is protective and open to alienated concepts. The only part where he gets to be edgy and depict a darker side of his, is when he wrestles with a friend of his, which too is justified thoroughly. The conversations and the activities going around the room or a house is pretty much mundane and pragmatic that denses up the essence of the stakes stronger and impenetrable, like the usual conflict of his younger sister with her family that is kept burning throughout the course of the film. The Rider rides with an even stable pace to a more cozy state than it begins with.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

imdoingmypartJun 12, 2018

Sometimes I will watch a newer film and start thinking "what would a bad movie do?" This question works especially well for films with characters and storylines that are not entirely new but are rather adding a new flavor to existing ideas.Sometimes I will watch a newer film and start thinking "what would a bad movie do?" This question works especially well for films with characters and storylines that are not entirely new but are rather adding a new flavor to existing ideas. The question is not meant to be an insult to the film: in fact, I really only think of the question when a newer film seems to be heading in a predictable and uninteresting direction but then takes an unexpected (or at least unconventional) turn into a new experience. It is easy for a novice filmmaker to find a camera and a few dollars and put together a low-budget picture, which makes it much more special when one of these filmmakers (Chloé Zhao) does just that and produces a work like The Rider that turns out to be one of the strongest films of its year.

Zhao's modern cowboy tale takes place in the badlands in South Dakota. The landscape is a character in The Rider, not unlike what the Coen brothers establish in films like No Country for Old Men and Fargo. Our lead character, Brady, deals with isolation; he lives with his drunk, unloving father and moderately autistic sister. Brady loves his family (and in fact demonstrates genuine gentleness and a general respect for living creatures around him in his interactions throughout the film) but cannot relate to them due to his excellence at and obsession with riding and training horses. His passion, however, is severely restrained by his recent head injury. Not only does Brady suffer permanent repercussions from his skull fracture, but he also rides under a cloud of dread knowing that another head injury could kill or severely handicap him. The question constantly occupies Brady's existence: is it worth risking his life doing what he loves most?

Zhao has managed to create a contemplative picture that puts its faith in the audience to ask the right questions. A bad movie would advertise the "rodeo of the year!" on some banner in town and show Brady training in a Rocky-like montage to overcome his head injury and win the big prize against some bully of an opponent. The Rider is so much more respectful of its audience and chooses to focus on character rather than sensationalism. There are no "bad guys" but rather people living their lives the way they know best. This film focuses on passion and its ability to drive a person too far. Suspense hangs in the air every time Brady mounts a horse knowing that it could be his last ride. He does not care; Brady is sure of his calling.

Summer blockbusters are fun and whimsical, but films like The Rider carry a much longer lasting personal impact than montages of car chases and one-liners. It is rare for a film to truly pierce the soul and shake the viewer from the core, elevating from entertainment to transformation, but The Rider comes pretty close to doing just that.… Expand

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8

justwibiOct 2, 2018

beautifully sad and heartbreaking. very natura. i love the relationship betweeen Brady & lily. In fact they're a real siblings. wow