In their upcoming film ‘Broke’, debuting this Tuesday via video-on-demand, Dennis Quaid and Wyatt Russell hint at the prospect of an eventual redemption unfolding beyond the end of the movie. Both talented actors take on the roles of father and son in this contemporary take on the classic western genre. Russell’s character is True Brandywine, a hopeful rodeo bronco rider who, despite his passion, is struggling to sustain himself financially. His ambition becomes an addiction further complicated by his dependency on painkillers to manage the injuries incurred through his daring profession.
Quaid portrays George, True’s father, who all the while continues to push his son towards a career in farming, seen as a safer and more dependable choice. According to the actors, True’s journey towards redemption is a subplot that is not overtly addressed within the movie’s timeline. “One could think of redemption as the reward for going through life’s trials and tribulations necessary to earn it,” the insightful Russell proposed.
“Perhaps, the film concludes just as True embarks on his journey to redemption. This unique narrative structure makes the film all the more exciting. Redemption has been used as the main theme but here it’s more about its initiation rather than culmination,” explained Russell.
Despite the certain uncertainty of the film’s narrative, Quaid expressed some doubt whether True would actually embark on the path of redemption once the curtain falls on the events in the movie. “In my view, it could represent a missed chance for True’s redemption. The flavor of possible redemption left behind is somewhat bitter,” shared the experienced actor.
As True finds himself caught in a harsh blizzard, his struggle for survival deepens, both literally and metaphorically. Isolated and battling to stay alive amid the snow, True is left with nothing but his own thoughts and reminiscences of sacrifices he had to make and past relationships that had to bear the brunt of his decisions.
“Truth is often the first casualty in these situations. To the world and perhaps oneself, a certain reality is portrayed that might not entirety match the objective truth,” pointed out Russell. “Realizing this deception is the starting point of any redemption path.”
Interestingly, Russell had to undergo experiences mirrored by his on-screen persona, including adopting survival techniques True had to use, like improvising a pair of snowshoes from tree branches or sparking a fire using lint and grease. Astonishingly, these makeshift survival strategies proved somewhat effective. “The snowshoes were a bit tough to navigate in, but they held up under the circumstances,” Russell remarked with a touch of pride.
Despite Quaid’s character, George, going unseen during the snowstorm scenes, the actor empathized with True’s struggling connection to nature. The portrayal of such interaction struck a resonating chord with him.
Quaid’s familiarity with the farming lifestyle — a trace from his real-life experience owning and operating a ranch in Montana until 2011 — contributed to an authentic portrayal of George’s character. “I’ve spent a good amount of time around equipment like a C-tractor and horses, so channeling George felt natural,” said Quaid.
Quaid’s even has some personal rodeo experience, although he’s more versed in calf roping rather than the high-risk bronco riding. “Fortunately, I still have both my thumbs intact,” Quaid added, laughing at the recollection.
Riding horses for film seems to be a family heritage for Russell. His lineage includes his father, Kurt Russell, known for his roles in western films like ‘Tombstone’ and ‘Bone Tomahawk’, and his grandfather, Bing Russell, recognized for his prolific work in numerous westerns and shows like ‘Bonanza’ and ‘Gunsmoke’. Wyatt’s previous roles in ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ and ‘The Good Lord Bird’ endowed him with adequate horse-training credentials to carry out certain rodeo scenes himself in ‘Broke’.
“The dallying and roping of the bull were principally managed by me,” shared Russell. “The nerve-wracking moment of sitting on real bucking horses and waiting for the gates to open was genuinely mine to shoulder. When it was time to ride, I embraced the challenge.”
The hard falls endured by True in the film were executed by stunt professionals. Yet, Russell claimed his own share of bruises and injuries from an aggressive bucking simulator used in preparation for the role. “It was not a machine to underestimate. I even experienced injuries from the simulated ride that were more severe than any I’ve had to endure in a while,” he said. “Still, it grounded me in the reality of True’s journey, because you can’t quite duplicate the force of gravity.” As viewers, it’s left to our interpretation whether True manages to reconcile himself with the consequences of his ambitions.
The post ‘Broke’: A Modern Western With a Taste of Redemption appeared first on Real News Now.
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