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Junior Bonner

Play trailer Poster for Junior Bonner PG 1972 1h 40m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When wandering middle-aged rodeo rider Junior Bonner (Steve McQueen) returns to his Arizona hometown, he reunites with his family, which includes his charming, troublemaking father, Ace (Robert Preston), and his ambitious real estate-developer brother, Curly (Joe Don Baker). While Ace dreams of finding his fortune in Australia, Junior is determined to conquer a tough bull named Sunshine by riding it for eight seconds. Can Junior claim victory over Sunshine and stay in the rodeo business?
Junior Bonner

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Critics Consensus

A strong central performance from Steve McQueen and absorbingly contemplative direction from Sam Peckinpah make rodeo drama Junior Bonner a classic character study.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Atkinson Village Voice 05/30/2018
[Steve] McQueen's reticent personality and hypnotic physical grace are in perfect service, and the air of authenticity is stinging. Go to Full Review
Michael Pattison Slant Magazine 08/09/2015
The historical moment is precious, as its only constant is flux. Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
Sam Peckinpah's reputation for violence is herein exorcised in the rodeo and brawl sequences. Audiences which consider such rough-and-tumble as innocuous, vicarious ventilation will get their fill, though others may perceive a bit more. Go to Full Review
Robert Sullivan Los Angeles Free Press 01/07/2020
Junior Bonner is considerably better than most of the reviews it has been receiving would lead you to believe. Go to Full Review
Tony Sloman Radio Times 05/30/2018
4/5
Brilliantly played by Steve McQueen. Go to Full Review
Brian Orndorf Blu-ray.com 05/30/2018
There are broken dreams to tend to and long simmering antagonisms to manage, with Peckinpah keeping his distance, giving "Junior Bonner" a lived-in feel that's gentle on the senses but occasionally hard on the heart... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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S R @ScottR May 3 I had avoided this film because of the Director Peckinpah, but finally saw it since it was NYT 1000 movies list and SLC DVD. I was glad I did, since I enjoyed this character study of a washed up rodeo cowboy despite its many shortcomings, odd dialogue, usual Peckinpah slow motion and multiple combination of shots. It certainly felt like someone who was inebriated was in control. Regardless, I enjoyed the Prescott AZ setting since I have family there and I have been there a few times. See more Alec B 02/28/2024 It's symbolism is a bit obvious (i.e. when McQueen literally gets menaced by modernity) but that plays into the movie's narrative simplicity which works because the cast is uniformly good and Pekinpah clearly loves this weird subculture. See more Scott M 08/29/2023 Nothing about it was interesting. The dialog was horrendous. The actors seemed to be going through the motions to please the director. Steve McQueen's worst film. See more isla s 09/04/2022 I found this a rather slow and bland film. Steve McQueen is his usual cool self but I didn't feel engrossed by it and the plot seemed a little thin, so I wouldn't recommend it. See more 10/01/2021 A great early 70's film. See more 05/21/2020 Perhaps it's because I couldn't care less about the rodeo, but this movie did nothing for me. I was checked out almost the entire time. Which is shocking to me, considering how brilliant Peckinpah usually is, and it features Steve McQueen...?! Some of the day-to-day interactions, like at the bar and whatnot were pretty interesting though. See more Read all reviews
Junior Bonner

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Movie Info

Synopsis When wandering middle-aged rodeo rider Junior Bonner (Steve McQueen) returns to his Arizona hometown, he reunites with his family, which includes his charming, troublemaking father, Ace (Robert Preston), and his ambitious real estate-developer brother, Curly (Joe Don Baker). While Ace dreams of finding his fortune in Australia, Junior is determined to conquer a tough bull named Sunshine by riding it for eight seconds. Can Junior claim victory over Sunshine and stay in the rodeo business?
Director
Sam Peckinpah
Producer
Joe Wizan
Screenwriter
Jeb Rosebrook
Production Co
Solar Productions, Joe Wizan-Booth Gardner Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 2, 1972, Original
Release Date (DVD)
May 25, 2004
Runtime
1h 40m