Editor’s note: This review includes some plot points that some readers may deem spoilers.

When Angel Studios’ The Last Rodeo opened in theaters on Memorial Day weekend, it lassoed the hearts of moviegoers — earning a 95% rating on film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes’ “Popcornmeter” and exceeding earnings estimates with a $6.9-million weekend box office. CinemaScore gave the film an “A” rating, topping other new releases for the weekend.

Stepping Out of Retirement, Stepping Up to Help 

In The Last Rodeo, Joe Wainwright (played by Neal McDonough), a retired rodeo legend, has hung up his hat for the last time — or so he thinks. Then he receives the troubling news that his grandson Cody is suffering from a brain tumor and that life-saving surgery will not be fully covered by insurance. The family’s responsibility, the hospital staff explains, will be $75,000 to $150,000, or even more. 

With two mortgages on the house and no money in the bank, Wainwright and his daughter Sally (played by Sarah Jones) don’t know how they’ll be able to pay the bill. In a last-ditch attempt to find the cash he needs, the elder Wainwright decides that he’ll enter one more rodeo, the Pro Bull Riding (PBR) Legends Competition, in hope of winning the $1-million grand prize. Wainwright comes in second, but still earns enough money to cover the medical cost. Cody (played by Graham Harvey) undergoes the surgery, and his life is saved. In the end, the troubled relationship between father and daughter is also healed. 

Rodeo Fans Join Together in Prayer 

The faith element in The Last Rodeo is strong — in part because the severe health crisis leads everyone to pray for God’s divine intervention. But more than that, the crowd in the stands at the PBR Legends Competition rises to call on God, praying for the safety of the competing riders and also praying for the successful recovery of riding-legend Wainwright’s grandson. 

Saving Affection for Marriage

There is another manifestation of 59-year-old McDonough’s personal faith that might easily be overlooked, unless you’ve heard the inside story. A strong Catholic and a devoted husband, the actor throughout his career has staunchly refused kissing scenes, instead saving his affection for his wife. That refusal has not been without consequence; sometimes he has lost Hollywood roles because of his “no-kissing” policy. 

But in The Last Rodeo, McDonough breaks from that policy and does, in fact, kiss a woman on screen. The filmmakers, acceding to his rigid policy, brought Neal’s wife, Ruvé McDonough, to play the role of his character’s departed wife Rose. 

In several scenes, Wainwright thinks back to his marriage and to his wife's encouragement and advice. Once, Wainwright is shown kissing her — but McDonough is not only acting; he is kissing his own wife. 

After the movie ends, McDonough, who also wrote and produced the film, takes a few minutes to encourage viewers to let Hollywood know that moviegoers want more movies that are truly entertaining for families, movies that grandpas and grandchildren can attend together, after which they can have a conversation about what life is really about. 

McDonough explains that, for him, as a father of five (including three daughters), he is happy to star in a film that imparts strong family values. 

He adds, “You can tell Hollywood, ‘We need more stories about faith, and about family, and about goodness.’” 

This review was updated after posting. 

SEE THE FILM

The Last Rodeo is currently showing in theaters across America. It is rated PG for thematic elements, language and violence.