I wasn't aware of the urban cowboy community in Philadelphia before this film. I'd only been to Philly once ten years ago, on a high school youth group trip. It was cool being exposed to something that's seen as different, since their black horse riders.
The movie isn't without it's stereotypes though. I'm white, and I've definitely noticed black teenagers are treated harsher than their white counterparts. I'm 28, but not much has changed since I was 15, like the character. I know Cole is messing up, but the Dad acts like this is shocking when he didn't raise him. A boy needs a man to properly guide him, not step in at the last minute and use tough love, as if they were ever there before. The Mom is clearly the better parent, but at the same time she discusses a long past with Cole getting in trouble. She's a nurse in the film, so she could have gotten Cole into therapy, or a sport, or into something artistic to help with his feelings.
I have no sympathy for people like the Dad. Idris Elba gave a great performance, but I'm also someone with a Dad that makes excuses and thinks he did more than he did. I can't help but feel bad for the kid.
It's cool that Cole and Harp start bonding, but both his parents could have done something sooner. Cole should have been spending summers doing something productive way before this.
The movie isn't without it's stereotypes though. I'm white, and I've definitely noticed black teenagers are treated harsher than their white counterparts. I'm 28, but not much has changed since I was 15, like the character. I know Cole is messing up, but the Dad acts like this is shocking when he didn't raise him. A boy needs a man to properly guide him, not step in at the last minute and use tough love, as if they were ever there before. The Mom is clearly the better parent, but at the same time she discusses a long past with Cole getting in trouble. She's a nurse in the film, so she could have gotten Cole into therapy, or a sport, or into something artistic to help with his feelings.
I have no sympathy for people like the Dad. Idris Elba gave a great performance, but I'm also someone with a Dad that makes excuses and thinks he did more than he did. I can't help but feel bad for the kid.
It's cool that Cole and Harp start bonding, but both his parents could have done something sooner. Cole should have been spending summers doing something productive way before this.