Under viewed, under the radar, and underappreciated gem from 1972, sort of in the vein of the not-yet-released Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
Not a slick, flashy or snazzy movie in the least - no stylish, Hollywoodized characters, no verbose dialogue, and no complicated, overwritten story. Just a slow-paced but engaging story of a dead-beat father who makes his living as a bronc rider on the New Mexico traveling rodeo circuit. Believable, genuine, and touching film explores the effects an absent parent can have on family and friends. James Coburn as the dead-beat father/rodeo cowboy, Lois Nettleton as his wife, Richard Anderson as the surrogate father, Slim Pickens as the rodeo barrelman/best friend of Coburn, Anne Archer as Coburn's hippie, Indian mistress, and Ted Eccles as the son. Venerable character actors Jim Davis, Ramon Bieri and Mitchell Ryan also appear in supporting roles. Second time director Steve Ihnat was a veteran, character actor of tv and movies from the 60s and 70s who may have had a solid directorial career ahead of him had he not passed away at the early age of 37.
Not a slick, flashy or snazzy movie in the least - no stylish, Hollywoodized characters, no verbose dialogue, and no complicated, overwritten story. Just a slow-paced but engaging story of a dead-beat father who makes his living as a bronc rider on the New Mexico traveling rodeo circuit. Believable, genuine, and touching film explores the effects an absent parent can have on family and friends. James Coburn as the dead-beat father/rodeo cowboy, Lois Nettleton as his wife, Richard Anderson as the surrogate father, Slim Pickens as the rodeo barrelman/best friend of Coburn, Anne Archer as Coburn's hippie, Indian mistress, and Ted Eccles as the son. Venerable character actors Jim Davis, Ramon Bieri and Mitchell Ryan also appear in supporting roles. Second time director Steve Ihnat was a veteran, character actor of tv and movies from the 60s and 70s who may have had a solid directorial career ahead of him had he not passed away at the early age of 37.