J.W. COOP

US, 1972, 112 minutes, Colour.
Cliff Robertson, Geraldine Page, Cristina Ferrare, R.G. Armstrong, John Crawford.
Directed by Cliff Robertson.

J.W. Coop is a rodeo film of the early '70s (along with The Honkers with James Coburn and Sam Peckinpah's Junior Bonner with Steve McQueen). This is a more serious approach to the world of the rodeo riders. It features Cliff Robertson as the star, who also wrote and directed the film. It also features a strong performance from Geraldine Page. The film is a combination of personal drama, disillusionment as well as some action rodeo sequences.

1. The film and its impact, interest in rodeos and rodeo riders and their life? The film as the work of Cliff Robertson as star and director?

2. The atmosphere of the West, the open roads? The action sequences? The use of Panavision photography, the musical score?

3. The title, the focus on Coop, the rodeo professional, public life, private life?

4. The atmosphere of the West in the '70s, the changing West, the rodeo circuit, the changes in the holding of rodeos, and the recycling of the western myths and updating them?

5. The rodeo sequences, the action, the thrills, skills, injuries?

6. Coop and the opening in prison, coming out, his patron? Taking the bus, revealing his character in conversations? Going to the house, his relationship with his mother? Listening to her? Going out on the road, the car? The police ticket? Abandoning the car? Meeting the girl, companionship, the relationship? The police, the Mexicans? The big woman and the rodeo? Coop and his age, the past, change and challenge? A future?

7. The portrait of Coop's mother, at home, her devotion to him, living in another world, the nature of her madness?

8. Bo, his relationship with Coop, his life?

9. The rodeo circuit, the various personalities, managers, agents, friends? The audience?

10. The picture of the police, the critique of the police?

11. The portrait of the Chicanos?

12. A picture of American life? Portrait of a man, middle age, change and challenge? Life and its meaning?