Watch Concrete Cowboy

Concrete Cowboy is a 2020 drama film directed by Ricky Staub and starring Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, and Lorraine Toussaint. The film centers around the urban cowboy subculture, specifically the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, which is based in the heart of Philadelphia. The plot follows Cole (Caleb McLaughlin), a troubled teenager who is sent to live with his father, Harp (Idris Elba), in Philadelphia. Harp is a member of the Fletcher Street community and runs a stable where he takes care of horses and teaches horse-riding to local kids. Initially resistant to the idea, Cole gradually starts to bond with his father and the community, while also developing a deep appreciation for the culture.

However, the community is under threat from gentrification, with developers and gentrifiers trying to push them out of the neighborhood. This leads to conflicts between members of the community and the police, who are tasked with enforcing a new law that would ban horse-riding in the city. The community comes together to fight for their way of life, with Cole forced to choose between the allure of the streets and the values of the Fletcher Street community.

The strength of Concrete Cowboy lies in its portrayal of a subculture that is seldom explored on screen. The film highlights the sense of community and belonging that the urban cowboy culture provides, and how it serves as an anchor for its members. Through its use of real-life horse riders and actors like Idris Elba and Lorraine Toussaint, who deliver authentic performances, the film honors this culture without ever romanticizing or sugar-coating its challenges.

Central to the story is the relationship between Cole and his father, Harp. The film explores the complexities of father-son relationships with honesty and empathy, while also examining the impact of external factors on such relationships. Idris Elba delivers a powerful performance as Harp, a man who is both tough and vulnerable and is struggling to do the right thing by his son and his community.

Caleb McLaughlin is equally impressive as Cole, bringing a lot of emotional depth to the character. Through his journey from being a rebellious and angry teenager towards someone who is learning to take responsibility for his actions and make amends, McLaughlin portrays the character's growth with nuance and sensitivity.

The film's themes of urban gentrification, systemic racism, and police brutality are also timely and relevant. However, the film avoids being preachy or heavy-handed in its treatment of these themes, instead choosing to focus on the human stories and the characters affected by these issues.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its cinematography. The film paints a vivid and authentic picture of the Fletcher Street community, with its narrow streets, row houses, and graffiti-covered walls. The scenes featuring horse-riding are shot with great care and detail, and the film's use of slow-motion shots captures the majesty and grace of these animals.

Overall, Concrete Cowboy is a powerful and poignant drama that tells an important story about a subculture that is often overlooked. With its excellent performances, authentic portrayal of urban cowboy culture, and timely themes, the film is a must-watch for anyone interested in meaningful cinema.

Concrete Cowboy is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 67.