tarmcgator Cliff Robertson set out to make two films in J.W. Coop (he worked on the screenplay as well as directed and starred), but in this case his effort winds up as only half a good movie.He starts with an interesting premise -- a former rodeo cowboy emerges from prison c.1970, tries to pick up where he left off, and finds that both society and the rodeo game have moved on. The first half of the film is pretty good, dealing with J.W.'s efforts to adjust to his senile mama (Geraldine Page) and to a society where "the kids, the commies, and the unions" (so says one character) are ruining the country.But when J.W. actually starts rodeoing, the picture shifts to an underdog-making-good-in-a-cutthroat-world scenario, as the old cowboy becomes an unlikely dark-horse contender for the national rodeo championship (competing against a younger rider with more corporate savvy). The ending of the film is unsatisfying and leaves us feeling incomplete -- there's more story to be told, but Robertson leaves us to feel sorry for a guy who, frankly, is not beaten down so much by "the establishment" as by his own pride.Also unsatisfying is Page's role in the film. She appears in one scene toward the beginning of the movie, and then she disappears. Maybe that's reality, but art provides the opportunity to inject more of her story and her relationship with J.W. into the film. That opportunity is missed. We do learn some more about J.W.'s family as the film progresses, but there's no closure on his mom-and-pop issues, although I suppose one could argue that the lack of parental comfort has something to do with the end of the movie.Robertson the actor is pretty darned good in this film, capturing J.W.'s initial bewilderment, suspicion and frustration with the '70s, and later his delight at having gained the love of a younger woman (Christina Ferrare). And Robertson the director has a nice eye for small towns and "the sticks" (there's a scene at a rural crossroads that's beautifully shot). But he's undercut by Robertson the screenwriter -- it's just difficult to buy J.W. as a contender for a major championship right out of prison (even if he has been rodeoing successfully there). And the film bites off more than it can chew in trying to comment both on social change and the rodeo life. This could have been a far stronger movie if it concentrated on one or the other -- and, to be honest, the encounter of a '50s guy with the early '70s was the far more interesting part of the film.

bkoganbing Cliff Robertson who was four years away from his Oscar winning performance in Charly, wrote, produced, directed and starred in this independent film that Columbia Pictures released, J.W. Coop. For the most part he produced a really gritty picture of life on the rodeo circuit. J.W. Coop is a driven man. A promising rodeo cowboy for some youthful indiscretions he did an almost 10 year prison stretch where he did keep his rodeo skills honed in penal rodeo competition. He's out now, determined to make it back and pick up the promising career he abruptly left. Of course 1962 to 1972 were years of seismic cultural shifts in America so Coop's in for quite a few surprises. I particularly like the scene with the officious highway patrolman who writes him a ticket for the bad emissions and lack of muffler on the 49 Hudson he was driving. It belonged to his father and Geraldine Page his Mom had just kept in the garage. Lots of changes in social behavior as well. Robertson falls for Cristina Ferrare a hippie chick who's just out for a good time. Big sexual revolution in the sixties that he missed out on.Of course the big scene is Robertson who is number 2 in the standings and winner of a lot of prize money gets back on a brahma bull AFTER he's broken his leg and he rides it while in a cast. Sheer unadulterated craziness as his doctor tries to tell him. But he's determined to be number one. That ending shot after the bull has thrown him and he's probably now permanently injured of Robertson sitting by the fence of an empty rodeo arena is unforgettable. It makes no sense to most of us, but being in your early thirties in rodeo would make you a Methuselah. Just check the cowboys ages if you happen to be watching rodeo. Robertson knows this might be his last shot. But he should have settled for second.J.W. Coop is a fine look at rodeo and belongs right up there with films like The Lusty Men and 8 Seconds as a realistic look at rodeo life.

saebjorn This hard to get, modern western is definitely one of the best film by Mr. Robertson, a fine, underrated actor and director. J.W. Coop, gives a realistic and honest view of a lonesome, luckless but brave man, an ex-con who tries and fails in the rodeo world and is also an underdog in life. Simple, brilliant story with Robertson's flawless acting matched by the late, grand Geraldine Page (as his mom). A fine cameo by the great character actor, R.G. Armstrong, and for the eye, there's the beautiful Cristina Ferrare who disappeared from films to marry Mr. John DeLorean (if somebody remembers the car in Back to the Future films.) So, catch it if you can!

helpless_dancer Excellent story about a cowpoke who wants to be the number one rider in the nation. He worked hard at it, and made his name well known on the circuit, even getting to the point of acquiring his own airplane. A good look at the rodeo from behind the scenes. Near the end was a very graphic scene of a cowboy caught up in the harness of a raging bull. I heard it was not a setup take, but was real footage from a rodeo. I know it made me cringe to watch it. 4 stars.