MY NETFLIX MOVIE REVIEWS: Concrete Cowboy

In this drama inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, 15-year-old Cole is taken to live with his estranged father Harp in North Philadelphia. There he discovers the city’s vibrant urban cowboy subculture, which has existed for more than 100 years, providing a safe haven for the neighborhood despite the surrounding poverty, violence, and encroachment of gentrification. Written by BrightAyisi (Courtesy of Internet Movie Database)

CONCRETE COWBOY (2020) is directed by Ricky Staub, written by Ricky Staub & Dan Walser, and produced by Lee Daniels & Idris Elba. This was one of those films where seeing the trailer enticed me to want to see the film. Although that was the case, the premise of having to deal with cowboys made for a pause. Moving past that due to a nearly all-black cast helped me through.

What I found was a very well-made coming of age story in the inner city. Topics ranged from the progress of a city moving on from horses to young black men searching for a way out of the at times violent city looking for peace or a piece of the American dream.

In the End: CONCRETE COWBOY delivered a solid story with high and low points making for an entertaining watch. At points, the storyline was predictable even though it was based on a true story. So for this film, I give it 3.5 of 5 stars.

Concrete Cowboy film trailer: https://youtu.be/WZ3dgHqaw8U