LAST RODEO, THE
(director/writer: Jon Avnet; screenwriter: Derek Presley, Neal McDonough; cinematographer: Denis Lenoir; editor: Tom Costantino; music: Jeff Russo; cast: Neal McDonough (Joe Wainwright), Graham Harvey (Cody), Mykelti Williamson (Charlie Williams), Sarah Jones (Sally), Christopher McDonald (Jimmy Mack), Daylon Ray Swearingen (Billy Hamilton), Matt West (Carl Thompson); Runtime: 116; MPAA Rating: PG; producers: Jon Avnet, Kip Konwiser, Neal McDonough, Ruve McDonough, Darren Moorman, Stephen Preston; Angel Studios/ Brooklyn Films; 2025)
“Decent performances, an authentic cowboy atmosphere and a heart-stirring story could be enough to satisfy a modern-day western viewer.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Faith-based director Jon Avnet (“Three Christs”/”Uprising”) co-writes the inspirational sports drama with Derek Presley and with the film’s star, Neal McDonough.
The broken-down physically and spiritually Joe Wainwright (Neal McDonough) is a former three-time bull-riding champion who has been a sad-sack drunk ever since the death of his wife ten years earlier. As a result, Joe has retired to his Texas ranch to see if he can recover. His adult daughter Sally (Sarah Jones) nurses him back to health. Now sober, the concerned grandfather of young Cody (Graham Harvey), who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, decides to return to the rodeo to get enough money to pay for the kid’s medical expenses. He enters a championship bull-riding event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a million dollars in prize money, as all former bull-riding champs are automatically eligible. The contest is run by the sleazy Jimmy Mack (Christopher McDonald). Joe’s aided in his comeback by his former soldier pal from the war in Afghanistan, now a trainer, Charlie Williams (Mykelti Williamson).
Daylon Ray Swearingen plays the real-life pro bull-rider, who is favorite to win the event.
Decent performances, an authentic cowboy atmosphere and a heart-stirring story could be enough to satisfy a modern-day western viewer. Though you might have to also overlook how heavy-handed it is.
REVIEWED ON 7/2/2025 GRADE: B-
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