On J List of Movie Reviews

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J.W. Coop (1971)

Rate: 5
Viewed: 1/20

JWCoop
1/20: Two rodeo films were released in 1971 and 1972, and they're J.W. Coop and Junior Bonner, respectively.

Whether the filmmakers knew it or not, they're almost similar as far as the scenes play out. Ultimately, the true winner is Junior Bonner because of superior editing, lively pace, high replayable value, and Steve McQueen.

There's nothing wrong with Cliff Robertson as J.W. Coop; he's perfect, and his acting is flawless. The trouble with the film is it's at once unfulfilling and unmemorable about a cowboy going from one town to another on a rodeo circuit in a dizzying speed.

If there's anything I'm most disappointed with, it's the cheating in editing. As terrific as the rodeo scenes are, it'll be nice to see Cliff Robertson actually riding the bulls and horses as they begin bucking him off. Instead, all I saw is obvious cuts right after the chute opened and then the animal. That's not striving for realism although I know it's a dangerous sport.

By the way, the state penitentiary as shown in the film is located in McAlester, Oklahoma. It used to hold annual prison rodeo from 1940 to 2009. The Angola Prison Rodeo, which is at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is the only one of its kind in the United States. Due to animal abuse, the general popularity of rodeo is at an all-time low today. Hopefully, the "sport" will disappear once and for all.

All in all, J.W. Coop is a good, old-fashioned rodeo movie with fine acting, but Junior Bonner is unbeatable in every aspect.