Saagar Kote
Directed by Carlyle Eubank, ‘Broke’ is a Western drama film that revolves around a bronc rider named True Brandywine. It follows the trials and tribulations of the protagonist as he finds himself stuck in a blizzard, wherein he reminisces about important moments from the past that led him towards his current predicament. Facing both physical and psychological challenges, the rodeo rider battles against the odds to survive, while also battling against his own regrets and trauma. The themes of love, danger in sports, loyalty, belonging, family, and meaning are portrayed in a nuanced manner in the narrative. The visuals, performances, and thematic elements of the film offer an intriguing experience to the viewers.
Broke is Partly Inspired by Carlyle Eubank’s Own Experiences Around Ranching and Rodeos
Despite being a fictional tale, ‘Broke’ takes inspiration in parts from the experiences and observations of director Carlyle Eubank, who is also the writer of the film. In an interview with Nerdtropolis, the filmmaker opined that the world the story is set in comes from his own lived experiences, growing up around ranching and rodeos. When talking about the seed that led to the creation of the film, he stated, “The story just soaked up all these real people, stories, and memories from my life. Writing it, I didn’t have to guess what a character would say—I could hear it.” The statement proves that the genuine feel of the film comes from real-life experiences, which adds to the authenticity of the narrative. He also spoke about how he and his team worked hard to deliver everything on camera, including the sequences that showcase the rodeos.
The film features a very important scene, a conversation between True Brandywine and his father, George Brandywine. Speaking about it, the filmmaker laughingly said, “That’s basically a real conversation with my dad. Maybe even one from last week.” The heartfelt moments in the film feel more authentic due to the fact that they emanate from real-life experiences. He also hinted that some parts of the film are autobiographical in nature. In an interview with LRM Online, Eubank, when asked whether or not he has a direct link with rodeos, said that he did rodeos when he was young, and so did his dad. Despite not competing beyond the junior level in the sport, he has always been around it, and his friends are involved in the extreme sport.
The Narrative is a Harrowing Exploration of Brain Injury and Drug Addiction in the Life of a Rodeo Bronc Rider
The narrative delves into the issues of brain injury and drug addiction experienced by True Brandywine. Despite being a fictional tale, and True Brandywine being a fictional character, it is partly inspired by the reality of conditions that are experienced by individuals who are involved in a dangerous sport like bronco riding at rodeos. The elements of brain injury and drug addiction play a major role in the character arc of the protagonist. He is often seen experiencing high-pitched ringing in his ears and also being extremely disoriented due to giddiness. Though the names of the medical condition and the drug are not explicitly mentioned in the film, a strong case can be made for either Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
In a scene, True Brandywine talks about taking a drug that is like “Advil,” which means that the drug is a painkiller medication similar to ibuprofen. Due to his involvement in risky sports, he is often prone to injuries that lead to pain. This most likely led to being addicted to painkillers and related medications that took a toll on his mental health as well. According to an article from Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in 2022, a young man called Reece Ullerich, who was always passionate about horses, faced a tragedy when his horses tripped during an exercise session, leading to a traumatic injury to the brain. He spent more than 40 days in intensive care at Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital before being shifted to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. Despite his injury, he still hoped to get back on a horse and pursue his passion.
The kind of obsession with rodeos showcased by True Brandywine in the story is hauntingly reflected in Reece’s life. Like the real-life young man, the protagonist too finds it difficult to let go of bronc riding, which leads him to greater trouble, especially due to his already prevalent injuries and drug addiction. Each year in the United States, an estimated 1.7 to 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur, with sports and recreational activities accounting for 10% of these, according to a 2024 report from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Notably, among American children and adolescents, sports and recreational activities contribute to over 21% of all traumatic brain injuries. Though True Brandwine is an imaginary rodeo bronc riding champion, he experiences emotions closer to reality in the world of rodeos.
The Perspectives of Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid Offer Deeper Insights into the World of Rodeos
Wyatt Russell’s portrayal of True Brandywine is a nuanced performance that captivates the viewers. He is supported by an equally excellent portrayal of George Brandywine by Dennis Quaid. The father-son relationship is a key emotional element in the story, which is dealt with in a meaningful manner by the director and the actors. In an interview with Collider, Russell opined that his intention behind producing the movie was to give representation to people who don’t get films made about them that often. He stated, “The rodeo is tough. 99% of the guys never make it. They hold on too long, start taking pain pills, and your life ends up in the shitter. That’s not an uncommon story, and so we tried to put a little happy spin on it. I wanted to tell that story, and I’m proud of it.” This statement is poignant because it looks at the inspiration behind the actor’s performance, which came from his own perspectives on the brutal world of the rodeos.
In the same interview, Dennis Quaid opined that the director had written an authentic script, while also acknowledging that in the real world, a lot of rodeo riders come from families where their dads or uncles did it. This element of intergenerational involvement in a dangerous sport is authentically represented in the film through the lens of True and George. Quaid stated, “Carlyle wrote such an authentic script. I mean, the very first page where he’s describing the tack room and the whole thing about shoeing a horse, it’s so specific. It’s so authentic that I just wanted to live up to that authenticity. That’s what drew me to doing this.” The perspectives of the two actors help to contextualize the purpose of the film and the message it wants to convey. It is indeed a love letter to rodeo.
Read More: Is The Last Rodeo Based on a True Story?
