Cowboy Up (2001) User Reviews

Average!!

[faithnomore70 · 5/10 · 4 June 2003]

I'm Rather new at this, but i'm gonna try anyway.

The performances by Kiefer and Pete-who plays the father, is great, in the movie. Pete shows that he can do it with, a thick American Accent. Besides that, you really gets convinced by Kiefer 's performance. (in fact, everytime you see him on screen) The only thing that disturbes me, during the movie, is the fact that Sutherland's carachter fades a bit, or maybe the reason why i notice that, is because of his picture was the lead, at the cover of the movie. Anyway...i only payed 10 Danish Croners, which is very cheap, is about 1.5 bucks, so it was cheap for an average movie. I also enjoyed the sound, and direction during the movie, i bought surround-sound a few years back, so it gets the movie a whole new level, when you watch it like that.

Kief Up The Good Work!!

Bad story. Good everything else.

[=G= · 5/10 · 5 September 2002]

"Cowboy Up" revolves around a contemporary rodeo bull-rider (Thomas), his family, and friends. Earnest in purpose with good art and technicals, this flick (aka "Ring of Fire") fizzels on story. The central character is a stoic, brooding, self-centered, self-destructive guy haunted by patriarchal issues making it difficult to really care about him and how the film plays out. The film is also fraught with inconsistencies such as Sutherland telling his brother not to ride of it will kill him and later telling him he'll be fine....etc. "CU" may have some entertainment value for those interested in rodeo though serious cowboys will likely scoff at this clumsy story and be disappointed in the minimal amount of actual rodeo action in the film. Best saved for broadcast. (C-)

Better than expected!

[faithnomore70 · 5/10 · 4 June 2003]

Hi, i´m rather new, at this.

Anyway..... I think the movie is better than i first, expected it to be. It has a great sound, the acting is average, except for Sutherland, who remains, to give a good performance everytime. The direction is also okay...i guess. The only thing i'm a bit disappointed in, is the fact that Sutherland's part seems to fade a bit, (or maybe it's just me). I was surprised by the performance on Pete, who plays the father, he has in this movie, a great American accent. Anyway, just my opinion.....you're more than welcome to Critisize my comment, on this movie. So i bought the movie for 10 Danish kroners, which is about 1,5 bucks, so.... a cheap, movie that holds the average!!

Finally some originality, a rarity indeed!

[eholloway57 · 11 March 2004]

This film is very well written by one of the finest writers in the business. The direction is clean, precise and still on the edge of what the story calls for, drama and action. The character development leaves nothing to complain about. Sullivan in the lead is fantastic. Under-rated. Under-rated. James Redford. Under-rated. Under-rated. Whether you are a rodeo buff or just a fan of great American cinema don't miss this tremendous original story. However this is my opinion, feel free to post your own. Make sure you actually watch the film. I've actually watched it twice and its one of those films that don't become boring. Check Keifers other work, its well worth the time.

Story overflowing with cowboy melodrama

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 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.

Just 'cause it wasn't bad doesn't mean it was good

[vancelongwell · 6/10 · 4 April 2010]

I gave this a 6. I simply can't quite figure why people are gushing about the writing. Redford has only written 2 scripts, some TV, and something else. I felt the writing and script were the major detractors here. The cinematography was superb, but the film lacked inspired direction. This made for a tight, pro, looking film but otherwise constructed on air. It's a character study under the hood and the character we're studying is a silent, aloof type. Woops. This just screams pet-project of Sutherland's. I don't have a Pro account but I'd bet Sutherland spent his own money on this. Marcus Thomas was a brilliant casting move though and he really looked the part.

Lastly, bull-riding in general is a sore point amongst many pro-cowboys. It's a zero skill affair that has it's roots in exhibition. Pro cowboys seriously resent the intermission entertainment stealing the show. I noticed too that there were no pick-up men being depicted. Odd that. It's a PRCA regulation. Professional Bull Riders (PBR), on the other- hand, I don't think use them so there's that.

Decent rodeo flick with Kiefer Sutherland, Daryl Hannah and Molly Ringwald

[Wuchakk · 5/10 · 23 December 2017]

RELEASED TO VIDEO IN 2001 and directed by Xavier Koller, "Cowboy Up" concerns rural California brothers in the tough rodeo business: Ely, the younger brother, is a banged-up bull rider (Marcus Thomas) while Hank is a rodeo clown/contractor (Kiefer Sutherland). The former is romantically interested in a vet assistant (Molly Ringwald) while the latter has his eyes on a rodeo barrel racer (Daryl Hannah). Melinda Dillon plays the brothers' mother at their ranch. Russell Means, Bo Hopkins and Pete Postlethwaite are also on hand.

The film was meant to debut in theaters in 2000; and then early 2001. It was stuck on the shelf due to the distributor going bankrupt and was eventually released to video in late 2001. As an intended theatrical release, the film has polish, which can be observed in the haunting opening bull riding sequence. The story, however, is akin to the typical Lifetime flick, except mixed with stunning bull riding sequences.

It's interesting seeing Ringwald 12-15 years after her halcyon years as a teen icon in the mid-80s (I much prefer her here as a woman). Despite the prevalence of country tunes on the soundtrack, the creators wisely throw in a couple of rock ditties, like the kinetic "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" (1974). The movie's decent, I generally enjoyed it, but I wouldn't recommend it, except to fans of the cast or rodeos.

The Braxton Ranch in the movie is actually the abode of Gary Leffew, the Rodeo Hall of Famer.

THE FILM RUNS 1 hour 45 minutes and was shot in Santa Maria, California, and Las Vegas. WRITER: James Redford.

GRADE: C+ (5.5/10)

Wow did not see that ending coming.

[jewelch · 7/10 · 18 April 2021]

It's been a long time since I've seen a movie that had a complete twist at the end that takes you by surprise. The entire film was set up leading to an obvious conclusion and then BANG!!!, an entirely different outcome. It was enjoyable to watch all of the old favorites from the 80's. Keiffer was wonderful as the older brother keeping everything together, Molly Ringwald looked like she hasn't changed since Sixteen Candles and I was reminded why I never really liked any of the characters that Daryl Hannah played. But that aside, the story was an incredible look into the brave boys who are in the rodeo circuit and how dangerous their lives really are. Entertaining and a good story overall, we enjoyed it James Welch Henderson Arkansas 4/17/2021.

The Braxton Brothers

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 19 May 2010]

As a fan of the Professional Bull Riders which has the elite best of the bull riders participating in that league I was surprised that they let their imprimatur on a film as wildly inaccurate as Cowboy Up. There are two incredibly big inaccuracies and a whole lot of little ones.

First while I've seen the riders get on bulls with injuries that would keep them out of competition in most sports, there ain't no way that the PBR doctors would allow a man with a plate in his head compete as a bull rider. But that's what we're led to believe.

But also the Professional Bull Riders is an elite league and to get to the Las Vegas finals you compete in that league, be it in the USA or in Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico the other countries where the PBR has taken root. Nobody like Marcus Thomas is going to get into those PBR finals by winning a bunch of regular rodeo events, sanctioned or unsanctioned.

I wish I could rate Cowboy Up higher because it looks like a project that the participants put a lot of heart and soul into. It's the story of two cowboy brothers, Kiefer Sutherland who works as a bullfighter whose job it is to haze the bulls and keep them injuring the riders and the second is aspiring bull rider Marcus Thomas.

As I said before Thomas has a plate in his head as a result of a bad fall and encounter with a bovine. This would be a career ending injury even in bull riding, but we're just not going to tell anyone about it. Thomas even though he's keeping company with Molly Ringwald also has an eye on rodeo groupie Darryl Hannah. Both the injury and the romance cause a break between the brothers.

Sad to say that this film will not rank up there with 8 Seconds, The Lusty Men, J.W. Coop, or Junior Bonner as a great rodeo film.

Ending

[gbm6631 · 3/10 · 11 November 2020]

Movie wasn't bad for the first 3/4 of it. Became predictable ok not to bad, but then the ending came. It was the worst ending I've ever seen and I was left like what....huh....really🙄 Waste of time is all I felt and there was no conclusion at all!

Golden nugget

[jasnicklv · 9/10 · 19 June 2005]

It is hard to understand that this film has received such a modest rating. The construction of the film is first rate, starting with the script by James Reford, and continuing with an excellent cast of experienced actors, direction which keeps a pace designed to hold the attention of the viewer, and camera work with both close-in and long shots that convey the action of the rodeo.

Led by Kiefer Sutherland, the support team of actors "works" to reveal a contemporary twist of classic story lines---competing brothers whose love for one another is stretched to the limits, an ego centric father who deserts is family and wallows in self pity, a mother who deals with the realities daily life, lovers that are courted, spurned, and hurtfully do their own rejections. And all this is subtly tied together by a bull---the object of obsession within the community of rodeo aficionados, and a symbol of challenge that goes back thousands of years to the island of Crete.

While some "urban" or actual working cowboys of today may choose to pick at the text, acting, or realism of Cowboy Up, the film really captures the idea of why rodeo enthusiasts still keep the myth of the west still alive---even in Las Vegas! Cowboy Up deserves greater recognition than it has heretofore.

Messed Up Flick

[mdell · 28 March 2004]

While I did like this movie I thought the ending was both graphic and gruesome. That part of the movie traumatized me along with the fact that, really, who wants to see Kiefer Sutherland getting it? Marcus Thomas was a bit forced in the role of Ely Braxton although I could have seen him being a cowboy if his acting had been a bit more relaxed. It was good to see Molly Ringwald in a role other than the movies that she is truly known for. Darryl Hannah was just okay for me in the role of Celia. I think I enjoyed Kiefer Sutherland and the idea behind the movie more than some of the actors in the movie. I would definitely watch this flick again if only for Kiefer.

Excellent film

[harley_1125 · 10/10 · 16 January 2006]

I have seen this film an actually own the DVD version. It is not only exceptional in its storyline, but the acting ability of the characters completely hits the mark. They come together like they have been working together forever. The film teaches a valuable lesson if you are paying attention and has everything an inspiring film should have, including an emotional pull that will affect even the most hardened heart. Don't miss the opportunity to see this film. If you liked 8 Seconds with Luke Perry, you don't want to miss Cowboy Up with it's all star cast led by Keifer Sutherland! Keifer Sutherland delivers in nearly everything I have seen him in, but this performance set a new high in his career. It is my opinion that all actors have that defining role, where they make a change from the typical characters they play, to the most meaningful performance of their lives, and for Keifer Sutherland, this is it. He completes his character perfectly, and I could not imagine any other actor doing this role justice. Molly Ringwald gives a stellar performance in a supporting role. I actually like the character she plays as an opposite of her status quo. I have been a fan of Molly Ringwald since PK & the Kid, I know, I'm telling my age, but she has grown with every film. It is nice to see her pull away from that stereo-typical Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles, although fine films for what they are, this is a great breakaway role for her. Cowboy up brings all of the elements together to deliver a one of a kind film that holds a powerful message of family and loyalty, love and forgiveness. This is not one of those slow starters that takes a while to get into, it grabs you from the start and holds you till the final credits, but keeps you thinking for days.

Not OSCAR calibre, but still entertaining.

[TELEKONN · 16 June 2003]

OH come on...it wasn't THAT bad. I actually liked Keifer Sutherland in this role. He seemed more human and down to earth than anything I've seen him in lately. Not hyped up like he does when he plays a villian or in 24. Newcomer Marcus Thomas did a very good job. I was surprised to find out he was from Belgium!!

Ok.. so it was not an accurate movie, which ones are...TRAINING DAY??? DARK BLUE???? Good god...8 SECONDS???!!!!

And I LIKED Darryl Hannah in ths one. Even Molly Ringwald did the best she could. It definately needed more scenes like the one with Marcus Thomas and Pete Postlewaite. Ok, so Mr. Redford still has to work on writing skills, and character development, but this was still entertaining. No, its not JUNIOR BONNER but then that was a Sam Peckinpah film and ya can't get better then that!!

After 3 1/2 years, the movie is finally out.

[alex1785 · 8/10 · 21 July 2002]

Production on this film took place in December of 1998 as Hearts and Bones. I was a production assistant on the film, and spent nearly a month on the set. I recently saw the film on DVD, and was pleasantly surprised. The film is actually a lot better than I expected, with decent performances by the stars and a good script from James Redford.

The transfer to DVD was well done (at least on the German import disc I bought), and the film is presented in its original aspect ratio. The sound quality was also pretty good. The story is also very watchable. Unfortunately, this movie has only been shown on the big screen at film festivals, and widespread domestic theatrical release will probably never happen. However, the US DVD is slated for release on September 3rd, and it's probably worth the 4 or 5 bucks to rent it, even if you don't like rodeo. If you do like rodeo, though, this would be a good DVD to buy.

Winners and Losers, Bulls and Clowns

[tedg · 11 October 2002]

Spoilers herein

The losers are only a few: the writer and Daryl Hannah. Daryl because she should be working at more challenging parts right now. Regarding the script, you can smell a Redford a mile away: cloying sentimentality, mechanical plot evolution, subconscious conflation of nature with goodness and freedom. This script is really bad: one can see the remnants of the formula: switching lovers mirrored by switching destinies. The curse of emotionally jailed parents. The challenge. The balance of victory and defeat. The nature-specific enlightenment at the end. Please advise this kid to go into another line or to radically reinvent himself.

The winners are enough to keep this from being a waste. Most of the actors are strong enough to put something where the writer did not. Postlethwaite has one real scene and is memorable. Really. Sutherland and Dillon show they are better than the material. But the one that fascinates me is Molly Ringwald.

She debuted in a quirky, actorly adaptation of `the Tempest' with Susan Sarandon and Raul Julia. She did a Godard free-style adaptation of `King Lear' with Woody Allen! In between, she had the unfortunate success of some cheap personality roles. Since then, she's been cruising. Will she come back from the dead? I see she is signed up for Greenaway's next project, `Luper.' He is the most intelligent mind in film today, so that seems promising.

But here, she is background. A shame I say.

Another winner: the sound designer. This has great sound. Fortunately they didn't lard it up with honk-a-glitz so far as the songs -- but the sound is what impressed me.

Ted's evaluation: 2 of 4 -- has some interesting elements.

very true to life

[sheila-martinez-1 · 10/10 · 28 October 2005]

"Cowboy Up" was done well. Having grown up in rodeo, I was very impressed with how realistic they made it. The characters and the way they lived were right on the money. The relationship between the two brothers was like many I have witnessed myself. I thought they did a wonderful job pulling you in and making you feel the emotion that each character possessed. You can tell that Keifer spent time in the rodeo circuit and has the knowledge needed to pull off a "true to life" movie about rodeo instead of the "Hollywood" version of cowboys and their lifestyles. good job!!! The average person may not appreciate the movie, but anyone that has lived behind the scenes will love it! Many bullriders that I know have seen the move and loved it

Ring Of Fire is a really enjoyable film.

[xopher-4 · 14 December 2001]

I was the Sound Effects editor on this film. In fact it was the first film that in my career that I was given the full responsibility to find or in this case create the sound effects for this film. I really enjoyed the process that I had to go through on this film and the unique way I had to use what I had to really make the bull riding come alive.

So in short I think this film is pretty good. I mean with all the junk out there I don't understand why this film has not made it to the theaters. Kiefer Sutherland and Marcus Thomas work very well together and Xavier Koller clearly knew how to direct them to get the best part of the story onto the screen without cluttering it up. Ring of Fire has all the elements to make for an enjoyable movie gong experience. It has been a long time since I have seen the film and I look forward to seeing it again.

Wonderfully realistic characters

[wfieger · 9/10 · 10 November 2005]

I liked this film VERY much for his music scores, his dramatic bull riding action shots and - most of all - for his real life characters and fine role play. This movie shows you a part of America and his people in a very special setting but with very common troubles. This kind of movie you can watch over and over again, it will ever be satisfying. The story is manifold, the moral of the tale is really something to think of (It took me several attempts to get it) The only issue that was not satisfying in my opinion was the outcome. Though I'm no friend of happy endings, this one was a bit too drastic in my sense. Nervertheless - great movie, great work!

Waste of my life

[Artemis699 · 22 September 2002]

This movie is absolutely terrible. Even with a Redford, a Hannah, a Sutherland, and an incredibly knowledgeable bullriding instructor, this movie failed to deliver in story, plot, and reality.

The main character is utterly unlikeable and many of his surrounding characters are so shallowly written that normally good actors can muster up, at best, USA movie of the week caliber performances. The writer did absolutely nothing to deepen the characters and as a result, the viewer knows nothing about Ely and could care less if he wins or loses.

On top of that *SPOILERS AHEAD*

The logistical details of teh rodeo life are pure fiction. He goes from riding PRCA to suddenly winning the PBR finals. He shows up for a rodeo with no intent to ride and is allowed on a bull at teh last minute, and many other things that a person with even a layman's grasp of rodeo would identify as pure fantasy. Even the tragic death at the end was so rushed and confused that I did not register any emotion. That and the ending made no sense what so ever. I'm sure he was trying to make some dramatic point about the sanctity of life, but at that point I was too bored to care.

It is a very good movie, good clean entertainment!

[billye_moore · 10/10 · 28 March 2006]

Keifer is very good, all actors knew their place and were good. This is one of those movies that you could watch more than once. It had something for everyone, action, love, heart and soul. It was clean no nonsense movie. It does not matter if you are male or female or kid you will be entertained with this one. I take my hat off to the author, well written. A movie you could let your young kids sit through it without worry. Wish more could be made like this one. It is all about family and caring for each other, the action is real, even if you are not a cowboy you will get into the action. There should have been more about this movie I fear not as many people saw it as should have. Very seldom do you find a good movie with all of the points that this one has, that can entertain all ages and genders, this is one of them, it takes a good writer to be able to do this. I rated it a "10" because of the talent and the writer, it is that good, it was able to hold my attention.

Good movie unlikely casting . . .

[smitty-12 · 16 September 2002]

This is an interesting movie--with some casting problems. We find that there is a lot more to riding a bull than just being big or tough. Kiefer's character (brother to the lead) expands the stereotypical cowboy role because he is a sensitive, yet confident, thinking mans cowboy; full of compassion and depth. Molly Ringwald is waisted on a weak script. She plays a women who is supposedly a great catch but she has no patience, understanding, or sex appeal and is a poor listener. In addition, she looks at least 5 years older than Ely (her boyfriend). What do they have in common? What in the world was the attraction for these two people? In fact, all of the women's roles are written politically correct or safe and are therefore drab, boring, and unrealistic (they're too perfect). We never find out what Ms. perfect mom saw in the completely dysfunctional dad. It's hard to believe she could stand him long enough to have two kids . . . the movie shows that he had no redeeming qualities--whatsoever. Daryl Hannah is a fine actress but to long in the tooth to play the love interest of a man (Kiefer) nearly 2 inches shorter and 7 years younger than she is. Conversely, it's encouraging to see men and women closer in appearance and age--but this pair up just doesn't work--in the scene in the cafe Hannah looks old enough to be Ely's mom--which makes a later scene highly unlikely. All in all a good TV movie but comes up short when compared to other quality big screen cowboy fair like Urban Cowboy, The Electric Horseman, or The Grey Fox.

I'll give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Molly needs to leave Shermer Ill. behind...

[me43 · 29 December 2003]

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.

It was all right.

[UK_Melia · 20 October 2003]

• Might be some weak spoilers within. I'll try to be careful -

I know next to nothing about rodeo life, bullriding, rodeo clowns or any of that stuff and that may have been a hindrance to the enjoyment of this film. Or maybe it helped as I've been reading that this film's on the unrealistic side. But that's okay, it's entertainment either way.

The script was weak and it was disappointing to see the female roles downplayed so much - especially Daryl Hannah's because one of the things that hooked my interest about this movie was the possible conflict of brother against brother over a woman. But that part was never developed much. I think I would have enjoyed this more if the whole movie was about that. I'm still not sure what purpose Molly Ringwald's character served in this.

But there are lots of good things about 'Cowboy Up'. I loved seeing a tough guy cowboy downloading stuff on a laptop. That really pleased my geeky self. The slow motion action sequences were wonderful as well. And while I don't know much about rodeo, I very much enjoyed the riding scenes.

Anyway, On a scale of 1 - 10, I'd give this a six. See it if you like Kiefer because he's wonderful in this. I love to see him in a good guy role like this.