source: A Cowgirl's Story

This movie has a huge number of problems. Others have pointed out the problems with the military--ranks, uniforms, behavior. That's not my area of expertise, but even I could tell there were real problems. Then there was the problem with acting. I like Bailee Madison and gave "Cowgirls 'n Angels" an 8. But she wasn't as good in this one. The direction probably was poor. The script was weak; she didn't have much to work with. And the other characters were flat--both as characters and as actors. Other reviews have called out the actress who played Savannah, but that's only one example. Let's not even consider Pat Boone. The plot--without giving anything away--resolves with a happy ending for all--for Savannah (a double happy ending), for Dusty (a triple happy ending)--and so on. There's some tension throughout, but it's all wrapped up in a happy, neat and unbelievable bundle. The title itself--"A Cowgirl's Story"--suggests this has something to do with cowgirls. The earlier Bailee Madison movie "Cowgirls 'n Angels" did. This is just about a group of high school girls who like to ride horses. Okay. Defenders of the movie point out that girls in the age range of 8-14 probably won't much care or notice about those problems. I'd put that age range at more like 8-10. There are some scenes that might bother younger children, but kids are smart and a 14-hear-old will see a lot of problems. But there are other problems that even younger girls will care about, and problems their parents will care about, too. The injection of God--the awkward injection that seems unnatural, largely unnecessary, and a technique that stops the plot in its tracks--was poorly done. Some could have been left in and better woven into the plot, if one felt the need to include a message about God. It would have been a lot more effective that way. But this was like getting slapped in the face with a dead fish. Repeatedly. This movie also comes across as anti-war and, thus, oddly, anti-military. Yes, the theme is how these girls handle their lives while their parents are fighting in Afghanistan. I don't want to give away the plot, but while the actual soldiers are portrayed respectfully and heroically, it's certainly possible to develop a dislike for the military establishment. There's a line from a Phil Ochs song--"I Aint Marching Anymore" that goes: It's always the old to lead us to the wars It's always the young to fall Now look at all we've won with the saber and the gun Tell me, is it worth it all? And this message is reinforced by the dedication at the end of the movie to the military casualties in Afghanistan. If you're anti-war (and honestly I was with respect to Afghanistan), that's a good message. But otherwise just be aware of that theme running through the movie. This is not a movie for anyone--kids or their parents.

Christian theme, this time incorporating the Afghanistan War as reason for the problems of several of the teens. Very slow and predictable at times. Not as good as a Hallmark Movie, but similar.

Absolutely loved this movie. Good morals and real world youth social hurdles.

I found this movie by accident. Grant you it is a little hokey but it has a heartfelt message. Bailee Madison is one of the finest young actresses around. If you doubt me I don't know the name of the episode in House is titled but at such a young age she pulled off a role that most adult actors would have difficulty doing. It starts out as person being an outcast but she ends up being accept and she didn't change who she is. Then starting an equestrian drill team she draws from a multicultural group. As a military child Dusty Rhodes parents are deployed over to Afghanistan in which she faces a crisis that challenges her faith. Chloe Lukasiak portrayal as the "bad girl" turn BFF was spot on. According to the trivia page she was the one who choreographed the line dancing scene. Pat Boone portrayal as the chaplain but as another observer pointed out Chaplins are officers not enlisted people.

Surprised to see Bailee Madison in a movie this terrible. The acting is mainly what made it hard to watch. if you look up Cringe worthy in the dictionary this movie would come up right next to a picture of jacob satorious of course . Dont even get me started on how disgraceful the hair and makeup people are. who even names a movie a cowgirls story. awful do not recomend unless you are under the age of 9 and dont speak english. or a 37 year old southern women who livees in misssisspi

I watched this movie, found it to be lighthearted. You don't need to know about uniforms,rank etc. It's a family movie not meant heavy in drama. In my opinion, just an enjoyable film to give an audience a few hours hours reprieve from whats going around us. Therefore, view it as what I seen as Bailee, lead actor captured her character with emotion.

so the movie was kinda boring with a bit of over showing the emotion just to the attention of the audience with the emotion trigger but I didn't work out much. It was the same old story and everything was so predictable. I think if you are wasting money and time on the production of a movie get some good script from a good writer .there will be plenty waiting for an opportunity

I am Retired Army. I am a big fan of Pat Boone and I have enjoyed Bailee's work. The Storyline is sound. As a Retired member of the military I can appreciate the story that was trying to be told. However, the inaccuracies in Military Appearance and Uniform were egregious. Addressing someone as an LT when they are wearing Captains Rank and referring to another as a LT when they are wearing Major Rank, it was just totally screwed up. Rangers wear Tan Berets Not Black currently. Mr. Boone's Uniform was TOTALLY JACKED UP. Army Chaplains are Officers. It is evident that their was no Military Adviser or a technical adviser with any military knowledge or back ground. Also as one who has served as a Combat Medic and Senior Medical NCO Casualties are not MEDEVACED to a Veterans Administration Hospital. I enjoyed the story that was trying to be presented the inaccuracies ruined the enjoyment of the movie. Wish you could go back a do a do over. I would gladly serve as a Military Technical Adviser.

This movie is made for girls 8-14 years of age. After that I don't think most people will enjoy it. Besides being unrealistic, which is fine for a kid's movie, it is also full of overused clichés that can work only for people who are young and didn't have enough time in life to have seen all those clichés before. The acting is bad. Well for the most part Bailee Madison was just awful. She was literally acting making stupid exaggerated reactions and faces. As well as her voice tone wasn't working for it. I see on IMDb that she has a pretty long list of roles. I guess now is the time where she will either learn acting or change professions because what works for child actors will not be accepted from adults. I thought horse riding would be the main theme of the movie but it was barely mentioned or shown. The main issue was kids with parents in the army and bullying. Personally I think it is a good theme. With some people trying hard to kill patriotism and love for one's country it is nice to have a movie for the kids supporting it. Adding the Muslim girl was a good idea as well to show that patriotism shouldn't include bullying and hating those who are different and that they can be very much American and fight for the country as well.