Cowboys **** (2020, Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell, Sasha Knight, Ann Dowd, Gary Farmer) – Movie Review

Writer-director Anna Kerrigan’s 2020 drama Cowboys stars Steve Zahn as a troubled father Troy (Steve Zahn), going to hell with good intentions. He has recently separated from his wife Sally (Jillian Bell) and runs off with his young trans son Joe (Sasha Knight) into the Montana wilderness to try to escape to Canada when his wife refuses to let their son live as his declared authentic self. Joe wants to be a cowboy, like his dad.

The poignant bit is, the father may be misguided and acting recklessly but he has wisdom and understanding, and is trying to do his best for his child. The trans son, on the other hand, seems well adjusted and put together at such a very young age.

Troy’s friend Robert Spottedbird (Gary Farmer) helps them out, allowing them to have his horse, and covers for them with the police. A sympathetic cop Faith (Ann Dowd) is on the case but so are the FBI.

If this film is better than expected, it is mainly to do with the actors. Cast four first-rate actors, and you get a first-rate film. Kerrigan’s work is good though, both as writer and director, and the film has great scenery, atmosphere and a warm heart, along with a good story and memorable characters.

It is beautifully shot in picturesque Montana at Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Glacier National Park, a fifth star of the movie.

The runtime is a surprisingly compact 83 minutes.

It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on 15 April 2020 and is screened at the BFI Flare London LGBTQ+ Film Festival on 17 March 2021 as the LGBTQ+ Film Festival returns with its second online edition.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Movie Review

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