Cowboy Up (2001)
5/10
Story overflowing with cowboy melodrama
1 November 2014
Hank Braxton (Kiefer Sutherland) is an experienced rodeo clown and former bullrider. His younger brother Ely Braxton (Marcus Thomas) gets injured on a ride. He recovers and together with his brother slowly becomes a rising star. Their champion bull riding father Reid Braxton (Pete Postlethwaite) is a hard man and often fought with their mother Rose Braxton (Melinda Dillon). Ely fights with girlfriend Connie (Molly Ringwald) about his bull riding. Celia Jones (Daryl Hannah) is a barrel racer on the circuit that Hank falls in love for. However along with Ely's success comes the affections of Celia. Hank is jealous. The relationship eventually ends. Ely is set to ride Hank's bull, the unrideable Zapata. Hank gives Ely the address to their father to ease his mind. Ely meets his father but it isn't what he expected.

This is filled with a lot of rodeo family melodrama. There is just too much. The story overflows. After awhile, this feels like a bad cowboy soap. It needs to simplify a little on something. I think the girl trouble could be cut out and simply make this movie about daddy issues. Also I don't think Marcus Thomas has enough charisma. He is certainly outmatched by Kiefer.
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