Taron Egerton is known for his Golden Globe-winning performance as Elton John in Rocketman and his breakthrough role of Eggsy Unwin in the Kingsman franchise, but his work as Nate McClusky in She Rides Shotgun is his best yet.
Portraying Nate required the vulnerability and emotional range from Rocketman, the action and stuntwork needed for Kingsman and the grit of Jimmy Keene in Black Bird. But what makes Egerton’s performance in She Rides Shotgun — and the film itself — so exemplary is the genuine connection between Nate and his daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger).
The movie would not have worked without natural, grade A chemistry between Egerton and Heger. Nate’s love and care for Polly is the heart of the entire narrative, which is what makes it well worth watching.
A Raw and Realistic Daddy-Daughter Duo
It was clear in the She Rides Shotgun trailer, and it’s clear in the film itself. This is a story of sacrifice and love, brilliantly brought to life by Egerton and Heger. Countless stories feature a man going on an action thriller adventure where he has to save his kid, wife, fiancée or other loved one. But She Rides Shotgun doesn’t feel like that. This isn’t the stereotypical “I need to save my child” story of nobility.
Nate isn’t a hero. Polly isn’t an angel or a goody two shoes. Both of them are flawed in a way that’s believable and authentic. But you still want to root for them. They’re relatable, and they’re human. They make mistakes, and they have an imperfect relationship.
At the start of the film, their relationship is essentially nonexistent. But they try to form a legitimate bond during the less-than-ideal circumstances. Their efforts are true throughout the story, and they develop a heartwarming connection. It’s exemplified by everything they do — even if they fail or things don’t go their way.
The small moments Nate and Polly share in the film stand out and affirm the movie’s core. Whether it’s Polly trying to cheer up her dad with potato chips, Nate getting Polly the candy bar she asks for or Polly helping her dad with simple math, She Rides Shotgun allows this relationship to grow and shine while telling a compelling story.
‘She Rides Shotgun’ Movie Improves Upon the Book
The general premise of She Rides Shotgun isn’t new or revolutionary. Plenty of stories have a protagonist who has to save or protect someone they love. So what else makes the She Rides Shotgun film adaptation special? We don’t say this often, but it’s actually better than the book?!
Based on the award-winning novel by Jordan Harper, the She Rides Shotgun movie takes the same story and characters but simplifies them to best fit the cinematic medium and keep Nate and Polly’s relationship at the narrative’s core.
Perhaps the biggest change is the character of Charlotte (Odessa A’zion). In the book, she plays a larger role in helping Nate and Polly but gets in the way of the father-daughter relationship. Once we meet Charlotte in the novel, she’s essentially there through the end because of the relationship (of sorts) she’s in with Nate. But Charlotte detracts from Nate and Polly’s relationship, which is what She Rides Shotgun is truly all about.
In the movie, Charlotte has a pretty minimal role. Nate seeks her help near the start of the film, but things don’t work out. We never see her again, and it makes sense for Nate and everyone involved.
Other improvements from the book include characters and actions/ideas for the resolution that are generally easier to follow. That isn’t to say the She Rides Shotgun movie is perfect, though. Some aspects, like the gangs and opening lines, could be a bit confusing or just fly right over your head without reading the book. Luckily, as long as you understand the idea that Nate’s just trying to protect Polly, that’s enough to follow and be entertained.
As for the endings of the two, they differ. One is open-ended for our protagonist while the other is close-ended. As for which is better, that’s truly a matter of opinion.
Taron Egerton, Ana Sophia Heger Deliver Praiseworthy Performances in ‘She Rides Shotgun’
Not only do Egerton and Heger have excellent chemistry and truly convince us that they are father and daughter, but their distinct performances are also worthy of praise. Nate McClusky required a lot of different skills Egerton has used in previous projects. But the She Rides Shotgun film let him combine and use his skillset in a way we haven’t seen before. Nate, as a character, required a different emotional depth and connection to be embedded in everything Egerton did. The character also seems to have gone to the Brian O’Conner school of backwards driving, which looked great. We’re not sure if Egerton did his own driving stunts. But, if he did, we wouldn’t be surprised. If not, kudos to the stunt driver!
We don’t know about you, but when we were 10, we certainly didn’t have the emotional maturity or understanding Heger has. Polly may just be a kid, but she’s one of those kids who, unfortunately, has had to grow up faster than normal. When we meet her at the start of She Rides Shotgun, Polly’s a hesitant, scared girl. She eventually opens up and learns to let loose and think fast. By the end, she’s an emotionally scarred child who has to accept a new reality.
Within the span of the two-hour film are transformations and so many different emotions for Polly especially, and Heger’s performance is absolutely fantastic. It’s not easy for anyone — let alone a child — to perform and connect as an actor. Yet Heger did so with ease. Her talent truly shines in the final scene of the film with a heartbreaking and bittersweet display of conflicting emotions. Whether she wants to continue acting for the rest of her life or finds another path, Heger is surely a star in the making.
Distributed by Lionsgate, She Rides Shotgun’s limited theatrical release in the U.S. begins Friday, Aug. 1.
