As someone who’s been involved in this industry in one way or another for at least 25 years, I’ve seen every movie Hollywood has ever made about our culture and way of life. From 8 Seconds to The Longest Ride—basically, if it had anything to do with rodeo or bull riding, I’ve seen it.

That said, The Last Rodeo honestly surprised me. It was far better than I expected.

I really appreciated the backstory and the reasoning behind why Joe Wainwright—Neal McDonough’s character—had to come out of retirement. I also thought it was interesting that the film, in some ways, reflected a real event that happened years ago: Unfinished Business, a one-night pay-per-view put on by J.W. Hart in Decatur, Texas, where several legends came out of retirement for one more ride. That might have inspired the film’s comeback storyline, and if so, it was a smart choice.

When I first saw the trailer, I thought, “Here we go—another bull riding movie. I wonder how this one’s going to play out.” I half-expected they’d use The American as the event where he comes out of retirement to pay for his grandson’s medical bills. But I actually liked the direction they took—it was different, and it worked.

One small but interesting detail: seeing Daylon Swearingen—the 2022 World Champion and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet—riding under the name Billy Hamilton. That caught my attention because there actually was a Billy Hamilton who roped calves in the Prairie Circuit back in the early 2000s. I don’t know if that was intentional or just a name they liked, but it stood out to me. Regardless, Daylon did a fantastic job. He, like so many real cowboys, knows how to push others to be better—and I was glad the film showed that.

I appreciated how it showed that in our culture, when tragedy strikes, we all come together—because that’s the cowboy way.

If I had to rate it, I’d give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Here’s why it’s a half star short of perfect: Joe Wainwright hadn’t been on a bull in 15 years and had a rod in his neck. I understand the need for Hollywood dramatics, but that’s just not realistic. I’ve had close friends with similar injuries who were never able to ride again. Now, is it possible to come back from something like that? Nothing is impossible when you believe in God. But this character couldn’t even ride a mechanical bull, and then three days later he’s expected to climb on PBR-caliber bucking bull athletes and be successful? From a cinematic standpoint, I understand why they did it—but realistically, it doesn’t add up.

And while we’re on that point—I’ve never understood why Hollywood feels the need to throw a mechanical bull into so many of these movies. No one who makes their living riding bulls trains on a mechanical bull. At least not since I’ve been around. That might have been a thing before I was born, but in my experience, mechanical bulls are for drunk guys in bars—not professionals.

That said, the movie was so good, I honestly don’t even care. Go see The Last Rodeo for Father’s Day!

I want to take the time to sincerely thank Angel Studios and the PBR for allowing me the opportunity to screen the film. I hope that everyone goes and checks it out, and I hope you guys hear from me a lot more.

Everyone reading this—please do me a favor: always remember that every day is a gift from God, and what you do with it, quite simply and honestly, that’s your gift back to Him.

God bless.

James Phillips is co-founder of Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation, an organization launched in April 2024 dedicated to restoring independence and dignity to people with mobility challenges by providing adaptive all-terrain track chairs—life-changing devices not covered by insurance that go where standard wheelchairs can’t.  To find our more or to donate click on www.moafoundation.org.