The Longest Ride

This movie was an adaptation of yet another novel by Nicholas Sparks.  It stars Scott Eastwood as Luke Collins who is a successful bull rider, Britt Robertson as Sophia Danko who is an art student about to graduate from college, and Alan Alda as Ira Levinson, an older gentleman who the two find after he was in a car accident.

Sophia’s friends convince her to leave the studying behind to attend a rodeo even though it’s not Britt’s cup of tea.  While there she catches the eye of Luke and he tosses her his cowboy hat.  Later at a bar, the two meet again and Luke gets Sophia’s phone number.  After ignoring several of Luke’s calls, she finally answers and they go out. 

When returning from a date, they come upon a car accident involving Ira.  Sophia retrieves a box of old letters that were in the car and delivers them to the hospital to give to Ira.  They become friends and Sophia begins to read the letters to him.  The letters were old love letters between Ira and his wife, Ruth, who had recently died. 

Rodeo is a dangerous sport and Luke has been seriously injured many times.  His mother, played by Lolita Davidovich, has been trying to get Luke to quit for years.  

Sophia tries as well but also with no success.  Luke and Sophia who are from two very different worlds must figure out how to make their lives work together. 

I really enjoyed everything about this movie. Scott Eastwood who is the spitting image of his dad Clint Eastwood was terrific as was Britt Robertson.  They make a great couple on film.  I normally do not like Alan Alda but he was really quite good in a pretty big role.  He pulled off the part quite nicely.  

I gave this movie three out of four stars.  I enjoyed it from beginning to end.