Abhiroop Das
Created by Karen Kingsbury, Pure Flix’s ‘A Thousand Tomorrows’ is a romantic drama that follows the story of Cody Gunnar, a legend in the realm of bull riding. Behind his crazy success stories and brash nature lies a traumatic past that has led him to prefer a life of emotional solitude. However, things begin to change when he crosses paths with Ali Daniels, a horse rider who is as talented as he is. Their differing perspectives on life soon lead to a natural chemistry, which then blooms into a shared journey that deeply impacts both of them. As the truth about Cody’s past comes to light, it becomes apparent that Ali has secrets of her own, many of which hold the potential to alter her future forever. The show’s unique setting adds a creative flair to the story, with each character containing within themselves a story worth sharing.
A Thousand Tomorrows is a Fictional Work Set in the World of Rodeo
Based on the eponymous novel by Karen Kingsbury, ‘A Thousand Tomorrows’ is an imagined work with no direct antecedents in real life. Despite its fictional nature, the story, which is adapted to the screen by Kingsbury’s son, Tyler Russell, has a steady pool of inspirations. In an interview with Crossmap Blogs, Kingsbury explained that while she was not always interested in rodeo, her husband’s love for the sport pulled her in. The inspiration came to the novelist during a plane journey, where she met a famous professional bull rider. She described him as wearing his entire gear, which likely included cowboy boots, hats, and other accessories. Kingsbury then conducted an interview with him, absorbing the details of the sports and how they mentally affect players. This exchange went on to inform the creation of her novel’s protagonist, Cody Gunnar.
The story’s background in the rodeo industry also meant that the writing team went above and beyond to bring some authenticity into the frame. Notably, many championships within the narrative take place under the banner of the PRCA, or the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. This real-life organization is responsible for sanctioning several competitions and rodeo-related events in the homeland, and ‘A Thousand Tomorrows’ does not shy away from bringing these to life. Aside from bull-riding, the show also shines a light on barrel racing, which is a form of racing done with horses. Both these events are brought to life with tight, intense cinematography that captures the action right at its source, perfecting the immersion process.
Aside from a sports-based inspiration, the writers also draw from their personal wants and experiences in the development of ‘A Thousand Tomorrows.’ During a conversation with Pure Flix, screenwriter Tyler Russell shared his take on the characters, stating, “A lot of the traits of the characters are things that I try to be, you know, like Ali’s way that she seizes the day and that she makes the most out of every day. Cody’s selflessness and his courage and strength.” To that end, the work taps into the universal human experience while still retaining its rendition of the subjective experience, informed by lived experiences. However, these details do not point to any biographical quality to the work, and instead reiterate the fictitious nature of its thematic palette.
A Thousand Tomorrows Sheds Light on How Medical Conditions Affect Lives
While much of the plot in ‘A Thousand Tomorrows’ is devoted to rodeo and its various nuances, the story also has an emotional dimension, pertaining to the medical conditions that some of the characters have to deal with. Kingsbury has described a number of real-life incidents that went on to become core inspirations for the story. In an interview with Movieguide, she brought up an incident that involved her husband, a basketball coach. She explained that one of the players on his team had Cystic Fibrosis, and they required special care to ensure the proper functioning of their lungs. The idea of a person with a severe disorder still giving their all to a sport was likely a powerful point of reference for the novelist and her creations.
The show also goes above and beyond in actualizing a sensitive portrayal of medical conditions and how they can come into conflict with a person’s interests. Tyler Russell spoke about this creative decision in a conversation with Pure Flix, stating: “I think with Down syndrome and CF (Cystic Fibrosis), they’re not often represented in media too (…) And so to bring just a sliver of awareness and life to those things, I think, is really important.” Kingsbury connects this to the conflicting emotions a parent can feel in such a scenario, and how their decision can make or break the child’s future. To that end, the show’s endeavour of informing its audience also finds its way into the narrative beats of the show.
Notably, the title of ‘A Thousand Tomorrows’ is also vaguely inspired by Kingsbury’s personal experiences. While talking to Crossmap Blogs, she recalled an experience with her friend, whose daughter-in-law had passed away due to Cystic Fibrosis. What made the demise even more tragic is that the friend’s son had given one of his lungs for transplant, and that extended her life by three full years. The novelist drew out a new perspective on this incident, and was entranced by the idea of a person extending someone’s life by a thousand days. This, in turn, added a romantic element to her story while also keeping it grounded in reality. The show finds its balance by capturing the various ways a disease can affect the human psyche, while still engaging with all such responses in an empathetic light.
Read More: A Thousand Tomorrows Ending Explained
