The Rider

The Rider, a 2017 drama film, is an authentic and heartfelt cinematic depiction of America's contemporary heartland. Directed by Chloe Zhao, the film stars non-professional actor Brady Jandreau alongside real-life family members Tim Jandreau and Lilly Jandreau, tying the narrative thread closely to the lives of its cast. Set against the raw and powerful South Dakota Badlands, the film paints a gripping picture of both physical and emotional landscapes, interactions between humans and animals, and ultimately resilience and identity.

The Rider revolves around Brady Blackburn, a talented and highly-skilled rodeo cowboy enacted compellingly and resolutely by Brady Jandreau. Known for his exceptional skills and unbreakable spirit, Brady is forced to grapple with a life-altering decision when a tragic accident in the rodeo arena leaves him with a severe head injury. Brady's doctor warns him that his riding days, the core of his identity, are over, threatening to eclipse his life's passion and purpose.

Brady thus embarks on a journey in this altered landscape, attempting to redefine his life without the backdrop of rodeo riding. Together with his autistic sister Lilly and his gambling-addicted father Wayne, played by his real-life father Tim, Brady grapples with economic insecurity and identity crisis. His new reality challenges his spirit and manhood, pushing him to question his place in the 'cowboy culture,' where physical toughness is a currency of respect.

The film brilliantly captures Brady's struggle and his compelling friendships - both with his fellow riders and with his horses. Visual storytelling in The Rider is exceptional: Zhao's lens captures the unspoken bond between Brady and his horses, highlighting Brady's gift as a horse trainer amidst his struggle with his altered dreams. Moreover, the film injects depth into friendships and group dynamics seen at cowboy gatherings, bull-riding events, around bonfires, or in hospital visits.

Supporting character Lane Scott, portrayed earnestly by Lane Scott, is an essential part of the film. A former rodeo rider living out a life paralyzed from a car crash, Lane's story mirrors the dangers Brady confronts in his desire to ride again. Lynn, Brady's friend and love interest, ebbs and flows throughout the narrative, offering a subtle yet profound dynamic to his emotional journey.

It would be remiss not to mention the stunning cinematography that unpredictably fluctuates between hard-lit close-ups, languid sunsets, and strains of the sparse, broad, and wind-blown South Dakota landscape. These aesthetic choices lend an almost transcendental quality to the film, drawing parallels with the isolating and vast life of the Midwestern cowboy. One of the film’s most palpable achievements is the way it ties the American landscape into Brady's struggle with his identity, expertly capturing scenes that mirror his internal emotional journey.

The Rider's minimal background score accompanies Brady's internal turmoil echoed in ambient noise, the rustle of grass, horses' hooves, and distant thunder, which are all smartly amplified to heighten the viewer's empathy with Brady's condition.

Praised for its realistic depiction of modern rodeo life, The Rider stirs emotions with its inspiring story of lost dreams and resilience. The non-professional cast performances are incredibly honest, most notably Brady Jandreau, who embodies melancholy and resilience in equal measure. Chloe Zhao's meticulous storytelling and masterful direction make the narrative spring to life and imbue the movie with an empathetic resonance. The Rider profoundly explores humans' ability to adapt and find new meaning, making it a captivating story of strength and the human spirit.

In all, The Rider is a deeply humanistic and insightfully layered film that focuses not on what life takes away, but on what's left behind when dreams stray off the trail. It’s about the quiet strength that one must find to redefine oneself in the face of brutal odds. It has an intimate and unvarnished beauty in its portrayal of cowboy culture in the American West, making it a must-watch for everyone who appreciates cinema's power to reflect the realities and complexities of life.