Molly needs to leave Shermer Ill. behind...

me43

I would think with all the talent on this film that has actual horseback experience, that SOMEONE would get Kiefer, et al. to quit holding their reins at chest level! Kiefer should know better by now! I kept expecting him to clock himself in the chin when he was working his mount. (At least they placed their hats brim up when they set 'em down, which was a big gaffe in "8 Seconds".)

I wish Molly luck with her career, but someone has got to be kind and tell her that hairdo does nothing for her thickened neck and it's severity ages her. (I hate to say it but between her and Daryl, I got to wondering if ol' Eli had some Oedipus issues to work out.... BTW: "Ely" is like Ely Mae, not as it was pronounced in the film.) For some reason Molly's wardrobe hasn't changed since the 80's either. She just might get more roles if she would shed the "Shermer Ill." image, as her acting has improved over the years.

I could not get behind Marcus Thomas either. He had a strange feel to him that I couldn't quite put my finger on until I discovered his country of origin. Then it made sense. (I spent a good spit of time in Belgium.) He is also a bit too thick legged to make him believable as a bullrider... and his low forehead is a poor match for those playing his kinfolk.

Great to see Melinda Dillon again, and Bo Hopkins was a notch above nearly everyone else in the film. Pete Postlethwaite has got to be the most manic Englishman doing a westerner I've ever seen! It's scary!

Russell Means was wasted... in that anyone could have done his part. It would have been a nice touch if he came across as some sort of "wise surrogate father" for Kiefer's character, as he seemed to have always lacked a father figure in his life.

All in all, though, "Cowboy Up" lacks direction and has an almost film-student feel to it. Watch it for the bullriding action if that is your cup of tea, but forget about the other Rodeo aspects of it, because it is obvious these folks never rode the circuit.

score /10

me43 29 December 2003

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0629857/