The Last Rodeo review (2005)

June 1, 2025 Jeffrey Lyles Christopher McDonald, Jon Avnet, Mykelti Williamson, Neal McDonough, Ruve McDonough, Sarah Jones, The Last Rodeo

The Last Rodeo is an inoffensive family film that at times plays out a little too safe. Even when a scene has some potentially suspenseful moments it rarely reaches a point where there some doubt that everything won’t turn out fine in the end.

Where it lacks in nail-biting tension, The Last Rodeo makes up for it with its likable main cast who deliver solidly heartfelt performances. Neal McDonough (Homestead), who also co-wrote the screenplay, stars as Joe Wainwright, a famed bull-rider spending his retirement doting on his family.

Joe wasn’t necessarily ready for retirement, but didn’t want to get back in the rodeo after the tragic death of his wife, Rose (played by McDonough’s actual wife, Ruvé).

Time has passed and Joe now has come to appreciate the time with his daughter, Sally (Sarah Jones) and grandson Cody (Graham Harvey). That time might get derailed once Cody gets diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

The only way for Joe to cover the medical bills is to enter the rodeo — specifically the massive legends and former champions tournament put on by his old pal Jimmy Mack (Christopher McDonald). If Joe can win this last rodeo, Cody’s insanely high medical bills will be covered.

For old times’ sake, Joe calls up his old running buddy, Charlie (Mykelti Williamson, Unstoppable) to ride along and be his second. McDonough and Williamson have strong chemistry and come off like legit friends reconnecting after too long apart.

One of the film’s standout scenes has Jones’ Sally laying into Joe and Charlie for coming up with this wacky notion to get the money to aid Cody. The characters sound and interact like real people, which is a credit both to the cast and director/co-screenplay writer Jon Avnet.

Avnet, McDonough and co-screenwriter Derek Presley craft some fun banter, but they don’t offer much in terms of the mentality of bull riding. It seems like there would be some strategy to it beyond don’t get thrown off. The Last Rodeo doesn’t offer that insight, which would have also been a terrific use for Charlie.

The Last Rodeo has a two hour plus run time, which is why it feels strange that some conversations and deeper character development moments are short-changed.

Avnet directs a smooth character-driven drama. Some of the car scenes look especially dated and cheap while the rodeo arenas are well populated either with an actual crowd or smart allocation of CGI.

Professional bull rider Daylon Swearingen plays Joe’s rival Billy Hamilton. Swearingen isn’t a natural, but it’s a nice touch having a pro in that role.

This is another Angel Studios production, which focuses on family and faith for their films. Like other projects, The Last Rodeo is not a two-hour sermon from the theater pulpit. Faith is a component of the film, but it’s not done in a way that compromises the story.

The Last Rodeo might be overly predictable, but the cast and smooth pacing make for an easy viewing experience.