Baseshment
I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
FirstWitch
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
thedarkknight-99999
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 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)
proud_luddite
In a Lakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Brady Blackburn (Brady Jandreau) is recently recovering from brain damage due to a rodeo incident and finds it difficult to adjust to a safer lifestyle as he's not allowed to ride horses any more. Periodically, Brady visits a friend Lane (Lane Scott) in a care facility. Lane was also injured in a rodeo incident but much more severely than Brady.In the genre of "macho" films, "The Rider" is unique in a couple of ways. Firstly, the movie begins after the injuries rather than leading up to them as climactic moments. Secondly, rather than glorifying the sport of rodeo, it focuses on its aftermath after things go terribly wrong. Director/writer Chloé Zhao is courageous in taking this unconventional approach."The Rider" has a very serene quality to it aided by scenes that include beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Its subtle approach to the heartbreak of shattered dreams is slow-moving yet still effective. This film might have been dull but Zhao has a special touch to keep the viewer interested. She is well aided by Jandreau in the lead role, especially as Brady sees the reflection of his strong personality in a horse who is difficult to train. He also personifies the inner strength of the working poor.The film would have been richer if it addressed the issue of cruelty to animals used in rodeo. Despite this shortcoming, it is still a sweet, unconventional film.
wgingery
Set in the wide-open landscape of the Lakota reservation, and in the intensely masculine world of rodeo, this film at first seems like a documentary, with the down-to-earth, rock-solid authenticity of life in a trailer for a family of three. But it soon becomes clear that the film is concerned with more. Under the direction of Chloé Zhao, all these first-time actors give exceptional performances, but none more so than Brady Jandreau (Brady). Jandreau has an extraordinary screen presence, and as Brady is faced with a choice between two destinies, he gives us a ring-side seat. What further sets this film apart is its almost hypnotic beauty. Without patronizing or condescending, the cinematography bathes everything - horses, grave-markers, rodeo, hospital-ward - from the most intimate moments to the vast expanses of the Great Plains - in clarity and significance.
A_Night_In_The_Life
The Rider by Director Chloe Zhao. Is the tale of a young upincoming rodeo star Brady Blackburn. (Portrayed by real life inspiration of the film Brady Jandreau) who's career and basically purpose of being comes to a deviating halt. After suffering a horrible head injury. He tries to find new meaning of what life has in store for him. During the run of the film I couldn't help but to be reminded of other movies similar to the one I front of me. (The Wrestler was a big one) the trials of both Physical and mental the main character is faced with. The over whelming feeling of sympathy along with the underlying tale of battling with depression. All of which are familiar. What sticks this film out in both good and bad ways is the casting of non trained actors (it's all jandreau family members and friends playing themselves as far as I know ) a bit distracting at some point but also so real at others making powerful enough to feel the weight the main character is going through such as the case of Brady paraplegic friend. As for the film making aspect, I highly appreciated the use of natural lighting throughout the project. The use of the the sun in the background in some shots were very pleasing to the eye.
The shots on site locations where amazing. One Particular scene comes to mind were there is a lightning storm in the background. And the bronco riding scenes were just captured in such a raw way. They demand your attention. Unfortunately, a big down fall by far goes to the audio. Some of the dialect you could barely hear compare to the booming audio dubbed of the sister lily. It really stands out which starts taking you out of the movie. If I could leave you with anything from this film I can say it not the crowd pleaser that I could see the usual movie goer to last through. But it's a story I was grateful to ride out to the end. I give it a 7 out of 10.
