The Rider (2018)

I love this movie so much

As Good As It Gets

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I went to see this movie on a whim because it was the only thing playing near me that seemed even somewhat interesting (aka an independent drama with a nice poster), and I noticed one afternoon that the final showing would be later that night. I had read very briefly about the premise of the movie but had forgotten all about it by the time I actually went to go see it. I nearly walked out of the theater after half an hour, the only inhibiting factor being that I'd already splurged on a full-price evening ticket, a large popcorn, and two bottles of water to match. The cinematography was very nice and some shots were genuinely stunning, but the pacing was abysmal. It wasn't until I started wondering how on earth they'd managed the horse training scene some ~40-50 minutes in that the premise slowly came back to me. Isn't this the movie where the actors are actual cowboys or something? If that's the case, we're doing pretty well. Maybe I'll stick it out, even after I finish my popcorn.And I don't know. It does get more interesting as it goes along and I was genuinely engaged during the hospital visit scenes. There's a decent enough thematic depth to it. But the script is just very weak here. I'd give it a 5/10 if not for the cinematography and the surprisingly good performances from the non-actors in the movie. Some of the dialogue really stuck out as overbearing or clumsy. In short, the gimmick is the meat here. That's not a good sign.

This is an exceptional film, offering moments of beauty, compassion and humanity which stays with you long after the credits roll. The photography is exquisite. The acting is flawless. All in all, this is a moving piece of work that ought to go down in history as one of the most magnificent films of all time.

I expected this movie to be a slow moving drama, which I was looking forward to. It started slower than I anticipated, but as the movie continued, I realized I had witnessed something special. It was truly an amazing story, with great acting. This movie is not for everyone, but for those who are looking for a deep moving drama about dealing with our sense of purpose and identity, this is a must watch.

Saw this at Sundance. Great film. None of the people in the film are actors. It aids in the realism but also is a testament to the director's ability. This is a subtle, emotionally impactful experience. By the end of it your heart breaks but is also hopeful. Good story of friendship and also coming to grips with not being able to do what you truly love to do. How does one make life meaningful?