After being released from a 10-year prison sentence, J.W. Coop is determined to win a national rodeo championship. When his turbulent past, exemplified by his disturbed mother, collides with his one shot at a comeback, Coop is confronted with a society that has radically changed since his incarceration. Enter the world of the American rodeo circuit with J.W. Coop, a unique Western drama starring, directed, co-written, and co-produced by Cliff Robertson (Charly, Spider-Man). Using footage from actual rodeos and made in cooperation with the Rodeo Cowboys Association, this is a glimpse into America's backyard and the determination that drives its people.