The Horse Whisperer : Review.gif)
The Horse Whisperer,
the first novel written by Nicholas Evans, is a classic modern
western. The film, directed by and starring Robert Redord,
is also an excellent movie, if a bit slow at times. But for
anyone who likes horses, enjoys beautiful photography of Montana
and seeing Robert Redford, the Horse Whisperer is an excellent
movie to see.
The Horse Whisperer
Movie has a different ending than the book, so keep that in
mind - although most people think the ending of the movie
is better than in the Horse Whisperer book. The Horse Whisperer
movie is also rather lengty, running 2 hours and 45 minutes.
And while there are some slower spots, the quality of the
movie, the subtle story, beautiful photography and excellent
acting make the Horse Whisperer a movie well worth seeing.
 The
Horse Whisperer on DVD
The
Horse Whisperer on VHS
The
Horse Whisperer: Original Score Soundtrack
The
Horse Whisperer : A Novel - Softcover Edition
Amazon
Customer Review #1
Relaxing, warm
romantic experience, uplifting and inspiring
I happened
to watch this movie on a "snow day" when I was "iced-in"
and ended up watching it 4 times! Redford shows himself as
a class act once again in this relaxed, 'take your time' dramatic
slash romantic film contrasting the fast big city life of
a magazine editor (Kristen Scott Thomas)with the relaxed atmosphere
on the Montana ranch of the "Horse Whisperer" (Robert
Redford) whose therapeutic skills are sought out for a horse
badly traumatized in an accident involving the editor's daughter.
The "down home" atmosphere of the rancher's family
and the unselfish, very caring approach of Redford's character
provides treatment not only for the ailing horse but also
for the daughter (not to mention the members of the viewing
audience!!). I found this movie extremely refreshing with
much room for personal reflection. A must for any truly passionate
film aficianado.
Amazon
Customer Review #2
Three hours
about a horse?
Well,
not quite. When one thinks about it, it's about hope, redemption
and the saving of souls. It's about a family who's been torn
apart through a grizzly accident, leaving one teenage girl
dead, and another teenage girl and her prized horse mangled
(both physically and mentally). It's about a family's thinly
veiled serenity being suddenly unmasked, and in the wake exposes
a great vulnerability that lets loose the undercurrent of
depression, frustration and hostility.
Annie
(Kristin Thomas), a head-strong, high-pressure magazine editor
and world traveler is suddenly (and maybe for the first time)
faced with something she is totally unprepared to handle--losing
her daughter. Seeing the ever widening gulf, she becomes desperate
enough to leave New York and seek help from an unusual animal
healer, Tom Booker (Robert Redford), a so-called horse whisperer.
Throwing caution to the wind, and against her husband's wishes
(nicely played by Sam Neil), Annie forces Grace (her daughter)
to accompany her and Pilgrim (Grace's horse) to a small ranch
in the vastly open and rugged state of Montana.
This is
where the pace of the movie suddenly changes from the beehive
of "civilization" to one of sedate morning dew,
deep blue skies, rugged mountain sunsets, and the home-spun
reality of a rancher's way of life. Booker, who quickly realizes
that he has much more than just a horse to heal, reluctantly
takes on the chore. What follows is a deliberately paced process
of healing.
Although
this laid-back movie may not be to everyones' taste (or patience),
it worked its magic on me. Between 1 and 10, I give "The
Horse Whisperer" an 8. It's a shame we don't see more
of Robert Redford, either behind the scenes as a director,
or in front of the camera.
Amazon
Customer Review #3
Great
Acting, Sensational Scenery and a Worthy story
Almost
from the first scene there is enormous tension in this movie.
The smashed innocence of youth, the imperious maneuvering
of an overbearing mother/executive - executive/mother, and
the seemingly willing doormat of a husband are all played
against the shadow of a horribly injured horse, which for
a time are the only wounds the players really acknowledge.
It's easy to get involved in the plight of Pilgrim, the horse,
but as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the horse's
injuries are small potatoes compared to the injuries shouldered
and nurtured by Scott Thomas (the mother) and her daughter
- as well as Redford (the Whisperer), although I didn't piece
that together until I'd watched it a second time.
Redford
and Scott Thomas are at the top of their game (I'm not much
of a Redford fan and Scott Thomas is new to me), and although
Horse Whisperer subtly leads the viewer astray for a time,
deliberately focusing on the injuries to the horse and the
daughter, about 45min in to the movie you can sense real intrigue
developing between Redford and Scott Thomas. Redford plays
the strong, semi-silent Marlboro man (masking his own injuries
behind a thick veneer of quiet competence), and Scott Thomas
transports her restless world of conference-calls, cell phones,
fax machines and overworked anxiety to the Big Sky meadows
of Montana. It takes days, weeks, for her to recognize the
incongruity; however, eventually the recognizes the quiet
value hidden in ranch life, and when she does, Scott Thomas
sheds her urban values in a rush - for a time.
I've enjoyed
this movie several times - one of the few times I agree with
the professional critics. Super! A must watch. Not really
a "feel good" movie, but Horse Whisperer is a thoughtful
"reality check" that leaves the viewer (or at least
me), playing all sorts of woulda, coulda, shoulda mind games.
The
Horse Whisperer on DVD
The
Horse Whisperer on VHS
The
Horse Whisperer: Original Score Soundtrack
The
Horse Whisperer : A Novel - Softcover Edition
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