By: debbie lynn elias
When I spoke with Bailee Madison last year during the press tour for Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, she had just completed filming of COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS. Her excitement was palpable and her face lit up like a Christmas tree when she told me about getting to ride horses, hang out in barns and for once, get to be a little girl. Just seeing and hearing her, I was already excited to see the film. At that time she made me promise that I would review COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS when it hit theatres this year. Any promise I ever make to Bailee is easily kept, especially when I see a film like COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS. What sweetness! What heart! What fun! And as for Bailee….well, she spends 90% of the movie with a 1000 megawatt smile on her face and heart. COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS is The Feel Good Family Film of the Summer!
12 year old Ida is the girl we all dream of being. Feisty, spunky, resilient, independent and a little rambunctious. Living with her single mother (who spends all her time working and away from Ida), Ida has long dreamed of one day finding her father whom she has never met, never seen and whom her mother will never discuss. Her only clue is a lone postcard she found stashed in her mother’s private things from someone named “Walter” who is on the rodeo circuit.
Now out in the dust bowl lands of Oklahoma there’s not much for girl to do all day long when the long hot summer rolls in and school’s out. So, you need to tap into your imagination and find things to do. Luckily for Ida, the rodeo has come to town featuring none other than the Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Led by the legendary Terence Parker, the Sweethearts are the finest trick riding group in the country and are all girls. Sneaking off to the rodeo to see the Sweethearts, Ida also has a hidden agenda in mind – search for her father.
Poking around in the stables, Ida is taken by a spirited young horse; a horse very much like herself. Enamored with the animal and her connection with it, Ida sneaks back to the rodeo at night to ride. Caught by Parker, who also sees her innate talent and ability, and realizing the loss and loneliness Ida feels everyday, Parker extends an invitation – an invitation to join the Sweethearts.
But in true Ida fashion, there’s more to this than meets the eye, starting with her mom not knowing that Ida has “gone on the road”.
It is as if the role of Ida was custom written for Bailee Madison. She is beyond adorable. Spunky, feisty with a great stubborn streak, as mature as Bailee can be, what makes her perfect for Ida is that she is, at heart, still a little girl, and shows it. She makes you feel for Ida and her quest to find her father. You root for her and in one pivotal scene, when Ida opens up to the Sweethearts and they try to help her, it’s such an “awww” moment that you will find yourself tearing up (as in a few other places when your heart just leaps into your throat). But watch out for the waterworks that Bailee herself brings on a few occasions as she just makes you melt. You just want to reach out and hug her. I have to applaud the work of JJ Poff’s make-up team, Ashley Caywood’s hair stylists and Jillian Donaldson’s costuming when it comes to the character of Ida. While there are transitions in Ida’s look within the film, the combined talents of these artisans go lengths to show Ida’s struggle to appear grown-up while still being 12 years old at heart. Ponytails and dirt smudged face balanced against a free-flowing mane of hair (like the freedom of a running horse) and sequined headbands….helps to not only capture the essence of Ida, but also the mindset of an 12 year old little girl. And at the center of it all is Bailee Madison shining like the summer sun.
I can think of no elder statesman in the acting community other than James Cromwell who could bring the resonating heart to Terence Parker that is needed for this role. Described as being “an honor” by both Bailee Madison and Jackson Rathbone to work with Cromwell, he is comfortable perfection. Emanating a kind, but strict, paternal glow with not only Madison’s Ida but with each of the Sweethearts, the dynamic and chemistry amongst the group is heartwarming and engaging, enveloping the audience watching both on and off screen.
As Parker’s right hand man, Augustus, Frankie Faison brings a tacit compassion to the film, as quiet, dialogue-free observational shots of him speak volumes within the story development. And when Faison does have dialogue, it is filled with wisdom of life experience. Faison is always such a joy to watch, I would have liked to see more of him integrated into Ida’s story.
Hats off to a great storyline and accompanying great chemistry between Kathleen Rose Perkins and Cromwell. Perkins easily and comfortably fills the bill as Parker’s daughter and the plot structure eloquently sets up the father-daughter dynamic of the film that seems so far out of Ida’s reach.
Another terrific pairing is between Dora Madison Burge and Texas native, Jackson Rathbone. As Sweetheart Kansas and randy cowboy Justin, respectively, these two are a wonderful coupling. And although Rathbone has minimal screen time, he makes the most of it thanks to effective story structure, which serves to show how Ida could end up if she doesn’t stick with the Sweethearts and Parker’s guidance. Interestingly, so intent was director Armstrong to have Rathbone in this film that the role of Justin was specifically tailored for him and the shooting schedule adjusted to accommodate Rathbone’s own schedule. The narrative also has solid connective tissue between Kansas and Ida that blossoms in the hands of Burge and Madison.
Be on the lookout for real-life trick rider, Haley Ganzel, who makes her acting debut here as one of the Sweethearts, Rose.
Directed by Timothy Armstrong as his feature debut, and co-written by Armstrong and Stephan Blinn, COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS is sweet and more than family appropriate and in Madison’s case – age appropriate. Perfectly summed up by Bailee Madison herself, “there’s no scripts out there like this one. It was full of love. It was full of heart and it was about faith and hope and courage.” Main characters are well written with Bailee and Cromwell really shouldering the heavy lifting front and center. Nicely done is having Madison do some narration to set the stage for us. And, of course, who doesn’t love movies with horses! Setting the tale against the rodeo circuit gives us horses, fancy sequined rodeo clothes and something that fascinates more than the entire rural US – trick riding and rodeos (and yes, cowboys). Thanks to several nicely lensed and edited montages from cinematographer John Barr and editor Michael Rafferty, director Armstrong allows everyone to appreciate not only the beauty and fun the rodeo and various activities within it but also the skill involved. Personally I would have liked to see more of the rodeo sequences. Notable are two particular trick stunts – The Hippodrome and Indian Castaway, which although the versions on camera are not featuring Madison, but rather, trick rider Ganzel, Madison is quite proud of the fact that she learned and executed both. (And she has the pictures to prove it!)
Shot entirely on location, COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS, depicts six rodeos during the course of the film, with rodeo sequences being filmed at Pawnee, Guthrie and Stillwater. The first day of shooting even got the cast involved in the annual “89’er Parade” held in Guthrie to commemorate the Gates Territory Land Run of April 22, 1889. For Madison, who got to ride in the parade along with the other “Sweethearts”, it was the thrill of a lifetime. “I got to carry the flag which was quite heavier than I imagined. That was my first time really holding a flag and you only have one hand on the reins. That was crazy for me. My hat flew off and I was like “YEE-HAW!” I was like a real rodeo girl!”
With horses playing a primary role in the film, their care is paramount, something quite important to Madison. “The nice thing about this film is that when the horses were tired and they weren’t into filming, and they just wanted to go back and eat an apple in their trailers, we would call it quits for the day. We would do that for our schedule because at the end of the day, these are creatures and they have a mind of their own and we really need to take care of them.”
Always a sucker for Larry Levinson produced tv movies like the “Love Comes Softly” series, I couldn’t help but wonder while watching COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS, if this project had actually come up as a possible tv project before getting Cromwell, Madison and Rathbone attached which bumped it up to the big screen. While I fear the charm of COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS will be overshadowed by “blockbusters” also out in theaters this week, I cannot champion it enough for home video and Lifetime/Hallmark/Disney Family Channel viewings. This is the perfect film to watch with the entire family, sitting around the television with a big bowl of popcorn, sharing quality time.
COWGIRLS ‘N ANGELS – the Feel Good Family Film of the Summer!! A great little charmer. Tissues are mandatory for viewing. And yes, the film has a happy – and complete – ending!
Ida – Bailee Madison
Terence Parker – James Cromwell
Rebecca – Kathleen Rose Perkins
Kansas – Dora Madison Burge
Justin – Jackson Rathbone
Rita – Alicia Witt
Directed by Timothy Armstrong. Written by Armstrong and Stephan Blinn.
