Cliff Roberston wants “to be a cowboy, baby!” in the 1970s moody drama, J.W. Coop, which has just made its worldwide debut on Blu-ray thanks to Imprint Films in Australia.
Written, co-produced, directed by, and starring Robertson, this contemporary Western has more Texas vibes than King of the Hill, but you won’t find any propane or propane accessories here, just a man with a dream. After serving a nine-year stint in prison, J.W. aspires to return to his glory days as a rodeo star but must first grapple with a changed society.
There aren’t any feelings of ill-will or animosity in J.W. Coop, only an ounce of melancholy and pining for the “good old days.” As a middle-aged man with a new beginning, J.W. has much to think about and contemplate. He quickly learns that you can’t go home again, where he finds his mother, barely recognisable as she drifts semi-coherently with the onset of dementia. It’s a heartbreaking scene that reaffirms his impending mortality.
When he hits the road, J.W. subscribes to a nomadic existence, purchasing an old army ambulance and sleeping out under the stars, then hitching his wagon to a young hippie drifter played by Cristina Ferrare. As our hero works his way back into the rodeo community, he reconnects with old buddies and acquaintances, waxing nostalgic and recapturing his youth when his newfound fame travels the country.
Much of the power of 70s cinema came from its ability to connect with the audience regardless of the subject or setting. Rocky isn’t about boxing, but rather triumph over adversity, and while the spectacle of rodeo is at the centre of J.W. Coop, the film is more a reflection of the eternal notion of the “good old days”.
Cliff Robertson is restrained as the titular figure, akin to many of the strong, silent types that we’ve met in countless traditional westerns. Was this a vanity project? Maybe, but you can clearly tell that Robertson is very proud of this picture, which is well-made.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
With it being the first rodeo in HD for J.W. Coop, I must give Imprint points for acquiring it, considering the film hasn’t seen a stand-alone release on disc since 2004. Presented in 1.78:1, the image is underwhelming, lacking sharpness and decent colour. On the plus side, this release boasts a very loud and crisp LPCM 2.0 Mono track that helps maintain the mood of this dusty old classic, which I think would scrub up well should a restoration one day follow. English HOH subtitles are included.
I wasn’t too sure about J.W. Coop at first. As a bare bones release, I was concerned that Imprint might have been just filling a quota for their monthly announcements, but they’ve singled out a film I can confidently say is underrated. If you find that it’s not for you, all the bull riding might make you want to at least re-visit the old Jackass movies.
J.W. COOP
(1971, director: Cliff Robertson)
★★★½
direct blu-ray screen captures
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