Curator Analysis & Comprehensive Film Review
"MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS," directed by Stuart Gillard, is a captivating blend of Western and drama, spanning a robust 104 minutes. The film, starring Scott Glenn and Gary Busey, draws its power from the evocative title, promising a tale of heroism, tradition, and the complexities of masculinity. The narrative tension builds around the relationship between a grizzled, aging rodeo star, played by Glenn, and his ambitious protégé, portrayed by Busey. The visual pacing is deliberate, mirroring the slow burn of a classic Western, with sweeping landscapes and intimate, charged moments in the rodeo arena. Gillard masterfully balances the thrill of rodeo action with the quieter, more introspective scenes, creating a rich, engaging cinematic experience that explores the themes of legacy, competition, and the passage of time.