Few character actors deserve a close-up more than Neal McDonough.
The scene-stealer from “Justified,” “Tulsa King,” “Band of Brothers” and more gets the juicy lead he deserves in “The Last Rodeo.”
The drama wouldn’t be the same without his stoic presence, a pose befitting an aging cowboy fighting for his grandson’s life.
Joe Wainwright (McDonough) knows how long eight seconds can feel. He once ruled the rodeo circuit before an accident ended his bull riding career – and nearly his life. He has the ugly scars to prove it along with an obvious limp.
He’s still eager to see his feisty grandson Cody (Graham Harvey) follow in his footsteps, much to the chagrin of the boy’s mamma (Sarah Jones). The lad suffers a fainting spell one day, and a few medical tests later we learn he has a brain tumor that must be removed immediately.
The surgery will cost far more than the family can afford, although we’re not lectured about the current state of health care. Audiences can bring their own baggage to the story.
A desperate Joe enrolls in a bull-riding tournament hoping to snag the cash prize. It seems like an insurmountable task, especially since the 50-something Joe can barely ride a mechanical bull.
He sees no other way to raise the cash needed to keep Cody alive.
Story formulas rarely get this straightforward, but the devil is in the heartland details. “The Last Rodeo” has a firm grasp on the sport and the culture at large. This isn’t a slick Hollywood tale talking down at Red State USA.
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McDonough, a co-writer on the project, crafts a sincere story filled with flawed heroes and muddy shades of gray. Should a grandfather want his son to embrace bull riding in the first place? Why is Joe risking his health when his daughter needs him now more than ever?
The odds couldn’t be stacked much higher against him.
The film belongs to McDonough, who ditches his usual screen menace to play a man on a mission. He brings an intensity to the role that’s been his hallmark for decades. This time, we’re allowed to root for a McDonough character, not hiss at his villainy.
It’s Joe’s old trainer who helps elevate the story beyond convention.
Fellow “Justified” alum Mykelti Williamson co-stars as Charlie, an old friend and trainer willing to risk plenty to make sure Joe gets his shot at the title. The actors exude a natural camaraderie that makes even the quietest scenes hum.
The story would work better under tighter time constraints, but director Jon Avnet (“Fried Green Tomatoes”) luxuriates in the gentle moments between bull riding rounds. The director stages the latter with a feverish, you-are-there intensity.
Other flaws nag but don’t gnaw away at the film’s quiet pleasures.
“The Last Rodeo” never squares how Joe’s shambolic state could yield a rodeo circuit comeback. The screenplay also overplays its hand when it comes to the challenges he faces along the way. It’s great to see another character actor of note – Christopher McDonald – charm his way with the officials on Joe’s behalf.
It’s another to set up a barroom brawl at the worst possible time for narrative convenience.
The film casts some real-life bull riders including Daylon Swearingen, in supporting roles. They may appear green but they supply a whiff of authenticity.
It’s what McDonough always delivers, no matter the size of the role.
HiT or Miss: “The Last Rodeo” could use an edit or two, but the story’s powerful roots and another sterling turn from Neal McDonough make it worth your while.