
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
A Cowgirl's Story
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Predictable faith-based drama has bullying, heavy themes.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Cowgirl's Story
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
An amazing movie promoting good morals, respect for our country, and Christianity.
Report this review
What's the Story?
After her mother is sent to Afghanistan as an Army helicopter pilot and her dad is reassigned to another base in the States, Dusty Rhodes (Bailee Madison) goes to live with her grandfather (Pat Boone) in A COWGIRL'S STORY. At 17, she is plucky and outgoing, full of self-esteem and proud of her cowgirl ways even though they earn her ridicule when she starts at her new high school. "I definitely don't want to fit in if it means being a sniveling, insecure sheep," she proudly observes. Soon her high spirits and disarming honesty draw in friends who support her as she creates an equestrian club and worries about her missing-in-action mother. Loss and compassion are themes. Dusty's beloved horse dies, and she defends a Muslim classmate when ignorant bullies taunt the girl.
Is It Any Good?
This movie get high marks for neatness as every plot twist and conflict is tied neatly in a ridiculously perfect bow in a manner that bears absolutely no resemblance to reality. The necessity for belief in a Christian God is heavily touted here and miracles abound. Dusty's trusty horse dies and another almost magically replaces it, no visible money changing hands. A high school refuses to sponsor an equestrian team and, lickety-split, the tenacious Dusty raises the thousands necessary to supply horses, feed, and training so teammates who have never ridden before can perform flawlessly in what seems to be only minutes later. A thief admits his thievery and returns the valuable item he's taken. A cruel and dismissive mother becomes supportive and loving. A racist apologizes to the Muslim he's been bullying. A wounded soldier returns home to the daughter he left behind, battered but fine. Dusty's helicopter pilot mom goes down in a crash but miraculously makes it home unscathed. All the while, Grandpa, a military chaplain, advises that God will take care of everything if skeptic Dusty can only have faith, and not halfway kind of faith, but all-the-way kind of faith.
For this reason, A Cowgirl's Story is best appreciated by those who share the religious views the movie highlights. The themes may be a little heavy for sensitive kids, as well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the sacrifices that members of the military and their families make in their efforts to defend the U.S. How would you feel if your parents had to go off to war and leave you back home?
Dusty stands up against bullies and doesn't feel the need to change herself just so others will accept her. She appears not to allow bullies and critics to hurt her feelings. Many teenagers want to "fit in" and be liked by their peers. Why do you think Dusty doesn't care?
This is a faith-based title. Do you think the movie appeals only to believers, or can anyone enjoy it? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: April 18, 2017
- Cast: Bailee Madison , Chloe Lukasiak , Pat Boone , Aidan Alexander , Froy Gutierrez
- Director: Timothy Armstrong
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: June 3, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate