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| Word About BiehnReviews of Michael's Work |
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| Word About BiehnReviews of Michael's Work |
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The Ride is a very good film! Along with being a polished production set against a backdrop of beautiful desert landscapes, it is also surprisingly well written, taking on a difficult topic effectively, and creating in Smokey Banks an intriguing and complex character. Perhaps most important, the Ride provides Michael with a challenging role, giving him something to sink his teeth into, a character who grows and changes throughout. The story centers on Smokey and his redemption, and as this down and out rodeo has-been who discovers something more important in life, Michael's performance is stunning!
We first meet Smokey at the bottom, a marginal drunkard lamenting lost glory. He's in debt to some sinister types, who rough him up for money he owes. His plight is witnessed by Danny O'Neil, a young boy who has idolized Smokey for years and who also happens to be a devout Christian. When Smokey is arrested for stealing a truck from the Saguaro Boy's Ranch (to chase down his repossessed trailer), Danny has him released from jail to serve his time at the ranch, where his job will be to teach Danny to ride a bull. Though Smokey initially resents the plan, he does agree to it and thus sets himself on a course that will change his life and renew his soul. Smokey suffers his ups and downs at the ranch, and some comedic moments as well. His reaction to finding a pig in his shower is priceless. Eventually, his resentment gives way to a true desire to help Danny, and with time, he grows to love the boy. When he discovers the cross Danny bears, Smokey rails against God. Ultimately, however, he comes to know the meaning of selflessness and sacrifice. In an extremely moving moment, Smokey sheds tears as he prays and reveals his new understanding of what it is to be willing to die for someone else.
Michael is excellent, very convincing in a role that was not an easy one. A Christian film in this day and age makes people uncomfortable. It's hard to deliver to worldly-wise viewers such messages of faith. Yet Michael shows us how one man is moved to change by that message; led by Danny, he finds God. Through it all, he shows us Smokey downhearted, angry, frustrated, frightened, confused, happy, determined, despairing, conflicted, and redeemed. He reveals Smokey's lost soul and his renewed spirit and all the steps in between. It's a beautiful performance!! Michael was story consultant on this film and very concerned with showing Smokey's transition by action more than words. He didn't want to preach the story; he wanted to portray it. I believe he succeeded wonderfully well!
Kay
The Ride on the Internet Movie Database.
Abyss ***Aliens ***Art Of War ***Asteroid ***Blood Of The Hunter ***Breach of Trust/Crash ***Chain Of Command ***Cherry Falls ***Coach ***Dead Men Can't Dance ***Deadfall ***Deadly Intentions ***Deep Red ***Double Edge/American Dragons ***The Fan ***Fire In The Sky ***Frame By Frame/Conundrum ***Hill Street Blues ***Hog Wild ***In A Shallow Grave ***Jade ***K2 ***The Magnificent Seven ***The Martyrdom Of Saint Sebastian ***Megiddo ***Mojave Moon ***Navy SEALS ***Rampage ***The Rock ***Seventh Sign ***Silver Wolf ***Strapped ***Susan's Plan/Dying To Get Rich ***A Taste For Killing ***Terminator ***Tiberian Sun ***Timebomb ***Tombstone
