Title: The Rider
Rating: R
Director: Chloe Zhao
Starring: Brady Jandreau, Tim Jandreau, Lilly Jandreau
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

What It Is: After suffering a near-devastating head injury whilst performing in a rodeo, a talented cowboy and horse-whisperer Brady (Brady Jandreau) struggles with the prospect of never being able to ride professionally again while struggling with poverty and taking care of his younger autistic sister Lilly (Lilly Jandreau).

What We Think: Within the first few seconds of the film, you can tell immediately that some very gifted minds are working from behind the curtains. The biggest word one could use to describe this film is quiet, but not quite alone: quietly, it is human and it is gentle yet intense and even terrifying. Its themes plainly compromise and expand on a situation in which one faces the fear of loosing control versus the risk of loosing everything. Its gorgeous and intimate cinematography often gives us tranquil, vast, Paris, Texas-esque landscapes juxtaposed by considerate close-shots of the subjects’ contemplation. The score is tastefully rare and meditative. Directress Chloe Zhao masterfully paints a heart-wrenching portrait of the young Brady and the physical and emotional toll his passion for the sport of riding has taken on him, as well as those around him. It’s a solid story based on the real life events of Brady Jandreau, and as a whole feels uncompromisingly realistic. The characters are written naturalistically, becoming quite endearing and true to life to a documentary-like degree. The direction is genius as Zhao puts her trust in (or, is impressibly able to pull off working with) real people with little-to-no acting experience. The performances are lovely, conveying a range of behavioral subtleties in their behavior and relationships, which I find endlessly fascinating. It’s a delicate delve into the reality of how fragile both body and ego are, no matter how much we try to keep strong and stoic.

Our Grade: A, There’s just so much to unpack and enjoy here, so much within this film worth championing, as well as the fact that it happens to be directed by a female filmmaker, which always excites and uplifts my spirit when I come across one. The Rider is an effective and entrancing human story that makes you think and makes you feel. It is very raw and very personal. There is nothing about this film I really think needs to be improved upon or that I didn’t like. In fact: it is a wonderful film.