Bull (2019) Movie Review
If nothing else, Bull proves that writer and director Annie Silverstein is someone to watch out for. This is her debut feature film and she’s able to craft a quiet but intimate portrait of an unexpected relationship. Kris (Amber Havard) is a young girl living with her grandmother while her mother is incarcerated. Kris visits her mother in jail regularly and it’s clear that she adores her mother. Outside of her regular visits to prison, Kris is trying to find her way amidst a group of unruly kids who have a habit of drinking and doing drugs.
In a bid to get her peers to like her, Kris throws a party at her neighbors house, Abe (Rob Morgan). Abe is often gone, working as a bullfighter on rodeo tours. He’s aging now and past his peak, with some injuries that are setbacks to him doing his job efficiently. When he discovers that Kris was the one who threw a party in his house, he makes her clean up the mess and fix his chicken coop which was smashed to bits.
Because of Abe, Kris takes an interest in riding bulls and rodeos. She begins coming around more often to hang out with Abe. They eat dinner together most nights and Abe even sets up an opportunity for Kris to get on a bull and ride. They have their disagreements but there is a quiet understanding between the two. They each let the other person be and find peace in each other’s company.
What makes Bull a compelling movie is largely the performance of Rob Morgan. He is phenomenal as Abe, a man struggling to keep doing what he loves because of age and injury. Havard is not quite as polished as Morgan, but she is able to hold her own. Kris is a little lost and comes off a bit nondescript early on. However, we see glimpses of her personality through the choices she makes. Her best moment comes after she rides a bull for the first time. She’s relaying the experience to Abe and her excitement breaks through her otherwise serious demeanor. You can see that she’s proud of herself and this moment reinforces what these characters are able to give to each other.
The other aspect of Bull that I thought was remarkable was the shots of the bull riders. Cinematographer Shabier Kirchner captures some truly beautiful footage that showcases rodeos and bull riding in a raw fashion. Even I, who do not care for rodeos or bull riding, could appreciate the beauty Kirchner’s work. Silverstein infuses much of the movie with shots of these moments and you can see the intensity jumping through the screen. Bull is a quiet movie featuring an unlikely friendship between two people who are lonely and need companionship. But more importantly, it establishes Silverstein as a director to watch with this effective debut.
Film or Movie: Movie
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You are interested in rodeos or bull riding
2. You like stories about unlikely friendships
3. You want to see the first movie from a promising director
