Early look: The Rider
The Surprise Hit at Cannes is a Wild Ride
Who knew the French loved Westerns so much? One of the hits at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, The Rider, is an under-the-radar docu-fiction drama about a rodeo star’s broken dreams. Based on the young star’s own devastating experience, director Chloe Zhao created a loose script around Brady Janreau, a gifted horseman nearly killed in the ring. With a silver plate in his head, he’s unable to continue doing the only thing he loves: riding broncs in competitions. What’s a cowboy to do? Zhao‘s wistful camera follows the 20-year-old around his South Dakota town as he tries to figure out his future.
Based on the reception the movie has received at all the film festivals, we have an idea. Although not a professional actor, Janreau is being singled out as a rough-neck Heath Ledger-type, with a lot of potential. Looks like it’s going to be an interesting ride, indeed.
