Ricky Staub’s film is inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, a non-profit organization in north Philadelphia that is dedicated to inner-city horsemanship. It is also based on the young adult novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri about a troubled and rebellious 15-year-old boy named Cole (Caleb McLaughlin) from Detroit who is sent away by his mother to spend his summer with his estranged father, Harp (Idris Elba) where he forms a new relationship in the close community of Black cowboys.
A drama and modern western, Concrete Cowboy centers on a boy who is embraced by a community and a mentorship program that helps him grow and succeed. The unruly Cole also learns more about himself and his father's origins. What makes the film interesting is that it explores a subculture that many (including myself) never knew about. The cast even includes members of the real-life Fletcher Street Riders.
McLaughlin is a strong young actor, especially pitted against Elba as the man who must learn how to be a father after not being there for his son. There are several sweetly intimate moments that portray their growing bond. The beautiful cinematography from Minkia Farthing-Kohl realistically captures the urban and natural life, such as horses tied to hitching posts and beat-up cars. The only thing Concrete Cowboy are lacking is scenes of Cole developing a relationship with the horses.
Staub’s feature-length debut is promising and tells a moving and unique story, but it suffers from a formulaic storyline and sluggish runtime. Despite its authenticity, Staub could have explored more of the Black cowboy's culture, perhaps as a documentary. Strong Optional.