Concrete Cowboy [A Review]

     If I told you that in Northern Philadelphia, in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, there is a horse riding club of Black Cowboys called Fletcher Street Riding Club, would you believe me? Then I'll tell you the Fletcher Street Cowboys have been around for over 100 years. This unique and relatively unknown phenomenon is the back drop for Netflix's latest Release, Concrete Cowboy. A heartwarming coming of age story set at the margins of the ruff and tumble streets of Philadelphia, and the stables on Fletcher Street. What makes this film is the stellar cast supported by real life riders and members of the Fletcher Street riding club.

     The core of the story is the fractured relationship between an estranged father and his son. British actor, Idris Elba personifies the patriarch, Harp. A veteran of the streets that in his later years found riding and horse keeping to channel his energies that in his youth had led him down the wrong path.. His son is Coltrane aka Cole, played by Caleb McLaughlin, which is known for his work in the Netflix series, Stranger Things. A typical teenager acting out and in need of structure and discipline while being beckoned to the streets by childhood friend Smush. Latino acting phenom, Jharrell Jerome, known from the film Moonlight and his Emmy winning performance in When They See Us, brings Smush to life. He's caught up in the street life, but has a big brother relationship with Cole. He also has aspirations of leaving the game and Philadelphia. Trinidadian Actress Lorraine Toussaint rounds out the cast. You've seen her in everything including Orange is the new black to Selma. Toussaint plays stable owner, Nessie. You'll also recognize, neighborhood cop, Officer Leroy portrayed by Clifford Smith Jr aka Method Man of the Wu Tang Clan. The cast also includes members of the Fletcher Street Riding Club and community. One of the standout performances come from Jamil Prattis who plays Paris. Being relegated to a wheelchair does not diminish his love of and appreciation for caring for and riding the majestic animals. Esha is fellow rider who helps Cole assimilate to the cowboy life is played by another Fletcher Street rider Ivannah Mercedes. The unsung cast members are the horses used in the film

     The main theme of the film is redemption and how the comradery of riding and caring for these amazing animals saved some of their lives and kept them off the street. Its a story about men and boys, fathers and sons overcoming adversity and finding purpose. Definitely worth a watch. A good date movie or with the family.