C. Thomas Howell and Annabeth Gish star in the western crime drama Ride for writer/director/star Jake Allyn. New to Blu-ray from Well Go USA.
The Film
It is always a surprise when a film connects. Especially with a debut feature. Ride is a neo-Western that tells the story of a family’s struggle and the lengths they will go to help the ones they love. Jake Allyn makes an impressive feature film debut as a writer, director, and a compelling lead.
John and Monica (C. Thomas Howell and Annabeth Gish) are struggling to get the care they need for their cancer-stricken daughter. Their family has been struck by tragedy at every turn including a son who went to jail for 4 years for manslaughter. Peter (Allyn) is now out of prison and looking to make amends. Monica – the town sheriff – and John – a bull rider turned ranch hand – want nothing to do with him. Peter turns to the only thing he knows bull riding and popping pills. Soon all of them will be complicity in a daring crime. One that could send them all to prison.
Ride is not a film about the good deeds done by people and the miracles that happen to save a loved one. Allyn’s film is one about those bruised and broken souls desperately trying to grasp at straws to give the good in their lives more but quickly running out of options. The film never says Crime is the answer but allows the characters to dive into that murky water of “do bad to do good”. The result is a rich fertile ground for subtly powerful performances.
Yes, Allyn is the star (as well as writer/director), and he gives a wonderful performance the work is even more surprising considering he also directed the film, no small task in it of itself. However, it’s his co-stars as a director that he allows to shine. C. Thomas Howell and Annabeth Gish as the patriarch and matriarch of a decimated family are great. Gish has always been amazing giving underappreciated performance after another since Hiding Out. Here is no different as the conflicted wife and town sheriff. It’s Howell that is the revelation here. His performance is as nuanced and soulful as anything he’s ever done. Allyn gives both Howell and Gish the space to really dig deep in those quiet moments. This isn’t a film of bombast and overheated emotions. That subtle approach is rewarded with a film rich in performance and without much melodrama.
The film gives all its characters, not just Howell and Gish, the space to find rich and complex reactions to the challenges they find themselves in. The result is a rich tapestry of supporting performances led by real-life Rodeo star Forrie J. Smith as Al (the grandfather of the family), and Zia Carlock (the youngest of the family). Both are given roles, and they manage to find the grace notes that could have been just by the numbers. Even the drug dealer played by Patrick Murney is given more to do than just outright menace.
Ride delivers both a crime thriller and an effective family drama. One where you are truly invested in the characters’ lives and the bad decisions made.
The Transfer
I never tire of singing the praises of Well Go USA’s transfers. The transfer for Ride is no different. The film makes the transition to Blu-ray beautifully. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp on Blu-Ray. The widescreen imagery shows no signs of defects or any of the issues that come up with digitally shot films.
The Extras
They include the following;
Cast Interviews
Trailer
Cast Interviews – They are divided by actors though will play all once you select one.
Annabeth Gish (11:27) – Gish discusses what drew her to the project, the character, the challenges faced in the production, and more.
C. Thomas Howell (10:13) – Howell discusses the themes of the film, what drew him to the role, working with his co-stars, what he loved about the production and bringing authenticity, the joy, and responsibility of playing a real modern cowboy, his real-life experience with cowboy and rodeoing – getting involved with Hollywood that got sidetracked; and much more.
Forrie J. Smith (9:06) – Smith discusses his real life (both good and bad) experiences as a cowboy and how that affected the role; how he was cast in the film; the spiritual and religious nature of Cowboys – and the reason why in his estimation; the realism of the film; and much more.
Jake Allyn (6:38) – Allyn discusses what inspired him to make this film – and working with co-writer and co-star Josh Plasse; the research that he did for the film; growing up in Dallas, TX and why he set the film in Stephenville TX; the biggest challenges in making the film; and much more.
Josh Plasse (6:05) – Plasse discusses the character he plays – the inspiration he took from his real life; the time and work to bring this film to the screen which began as a TV Series/Pilot; and much more.
Laci Kaye Booth (4:15) – Booth discusses the character she plays – and the similarities to her life as a singer/songwriter; what interested her in the film; how she prepared for the role; and much more.
Zia Carlock (3:32) – Carlock discusses how she heard and was cast in the film; the character she plays; and much more.
Trailer (2:19)
The Final Thought
Ride is a Neo-Western that will surprise and delight fans and non-fans of the genre. Highest Recommendations!!!
C. Thomas Howell and Annabeth Gish star in the western crime drama Ride for writer/director/star Jake Allyn. New to Blu-ray from Well Go USA.
The Film
It is always a surprise when a film connects. Especially with a debut feature. Ride is a neo-Western that tells the story of a family’s struggle and the lengths they will go to help the ones they love. Jake Allyn makes an impressive feature film debut as a writer, director, and a compelling lead.
John and Monica (C. Thomas Howell and Annabeth Gish) are struggling to get the care they need for their cancer-stricken daughter. Their family has been struck by tragedy at every turn including a son who went to jail for 4 years for manslaughter. Peter (Allyn) is now out of prison and looking to make amends. Monica – the town sheriff – and John – a bull rider turned ranch hand – want nothing to do with him. Peter turns to the only thing he knows bull riding and popping pills. Soon all of them will be complicity in a daring crime. One that could send them all to prison.
Ride is not a film about the good deeds done by people and the miracles that happen to save a loved one. Allyn’s film is one about those bruised and broken souls desperately trying to grasp at straws to give the good in their lives more but quickly running out of options. The film never says Crime is the answer but allows the characters to dive into that murky water of “do bad to do good”. The result is a rich fertile ground for subtly powerful performances.
Yes, Allyn is the star (as well as writer/director), and he gives a wonderful performance the work is even more surprising considering he also directed the film, no small task in it of itself. However, it’s his co-stars as a director that he allows to shine. C. Thomas Howell and Annabeth Gish as the patriarch and matriarch of a decimated family are great. Gish has always been amazing giving underappreciated performance after another since Hiding Out. Here is no different as the conflicted wife and town sheriff. It’s Howell that is the revelation here. His performance is as nuanced and soulful as anything he’s ever done. Allyn gives both Howell and Gish the space to really dig deep in those quiet moments. This isn’t a film of bombast and overheated emotions. That subtle approach is rewarded with a film rich in performance and without much melodrama.
The film gives all its characters, not just Howell and Gish, the space to find rich and complex reactions to the challenges they find themselves in. The result is a rich tapestry of supporting performances led by real-life Rodeo star Forrie J. Smith as Al (the grandfather of the family), and Zia Carlock (the youngest of the family). Both are given roles, and they manage to find the grace notes that could have been just by the numbers. Even the drug dealer played by Patrick Murney is given more to do than just outright menace.
Ride delivers both a crime thriller and an effective family drama. One where you are truly invested in the characters’ lives and the bad decisions made.
The Transfer
I never tire of singing the praises of Well Go USA’s transfers. The transfer for Ride is no different. The film makes the transition to Blu-ray beautifully. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp on Blu-Ray. The widescreen imagery shows no signs of defects or any of the issues that come up with digitally shot films.
The Extras
They include the following;
Cast Interviews – They are divided by actors though will play all once you select one.
Trailer (2:19)
The Final Thought
Ride is a Neo-Western that will surprise and delight fans and non-fans of the genre. Highest Recommendations!!!
Well Go USA’s Blu-Ray edition of Ride is out August 27th
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