Director
Andrew Haigh
(45 YEARS)

Starring
Charlie Plummer, Steve Buscemi and Chloë Sevigny

Knowing very little about this film before the screening I attended, I read a synopsis that said it was about a boy who befriends a fading racehorse. I thought ‘cool, maybe a family movie, uplifting fare’, but I was wrong, it was not that type of movie.

Based on Willy Vlautin’s 2010 novel of the same name, Andrew Haigh’s latest movie, Lean On Pete is the story of an impoverished teen named Charley (Charlie Plummer), who is doing what he can to get by and make the most of the small amount of opportunities he has before him in life. Trying to find a way to put food on his table, he lands a job as a stable hand for a weathered trainer (Steve Buscemi), but realises that perhaps he’s not cut out for a life in the ruthless racing industry when he becomes attached to a racehorse (Lean On Pete) that no longer holds value to his owner. Having been abandoned by his mother, Charley can no doubt relate to that feeling of worthlessness and will stop at nothing to ensure that that Pete doesn’t find his fate at a meat factory in Mexico.

Despite the central premise revolving around Charley’s relationship with Pete, the real story here is of a boy searching to find his place in the world and for someone to have his back. Life throws a lot of punches at young Charley and there are many struggles he will have to overcome if he is to find his little piece of stability in the world.  Charlie Plummer is exceptional as the quietly spoken but soulful Charley and the fleeting but meaningful performances from the supports in Buscemi, Chloë Sevigny and a surprisingly troubled Steve Zahn really add further substance to this film.

James Edward Barker’s score perfectly captures the mood of the story and the soundtrack is a perfect blend of contemporary and indie, much like the film itself. This is more than just a movie, it’s a feeling that creeps up on you and has you fully invested before you know what’s happening. This certainly isn’t your feel good story of a boy and horse as I thought it would be; it’s a searching, melancholy and layered journey that caught me by surprise in the best possible way.

3.5 stars


Trailer
LEAN ON PETE

Moviedoc thanks Miranda Brown Publicity for the invite to the screening of this film.

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