The Horse Whisperer

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source: The Horse Whisperer

This is a pretty good story, a bit too slow at times. The scenery is what makes this film tolerable, sometimes enjoyable. Some of the equestrian practices shown are not depicting correct or safe methods, but this is normal in films. Horses don't flip out like people in the first place. They may be scared of places, sounds and things where the trauma occurs, but would never become psychotic as shown here. The other troubling thing I kept seeing over and over in the film is Scarlet Johansson's character kept trying to do things with her prosthetic instead of her good leg. I myself had a slow healing broken ankle and spent 9 months on a cast. You learn to use your good leg quickly, like when trying to climb a corral fence and mounting a horse from the side of your good leg, not your bad. These little film maker faux pas and the acting by Kristin Scott Thomas (trying too hard, obvious fake smiles- how hard is it to smile?) kept this from being an excellent movie.

Even though I haven't read the book, THE HORSE WHISPERER, in my opinion, is a very heartfelt and poignant drama with a good cast and strong performances. At first, I really didn't like Grace's (Scarlett Johnansson) attitude after the accident. However, as the film went on, I got to like her more. Also, I felt really sad when Judith (Kate Bosworth) didn't survive the accident. Everything else about the film was good. That especially includes the production design and performances. Now, in conclusion, if you enjoyed the title novel of the same name, I strongly recommend very heartfelt and poignant drama with a good cast and strong performances.

Robert Redford transforms the huge bestseller into a visually stunning screen epic...Unfortunately, that's all the film has to offer. No chemistry between Redford and Thomas. Neil and Wiest seem bored. Redford the director shines better than Redford the actor.

Beautiful scenery and a touching story made this drama well worth watching. Horse fanciers, especially, should go for this one, however they must be able to sit through the opening sequence involving the ugly accident. I admit that one made me cringe. Very good film which follows the book chapter and verse.

A touching story about a woman trying to heal her daughter and their horse after a tragic accident. I enjoyed this film, although it was almost 3 hours it felt like 90 minutes. A man who communicates to horses is contacted by a city woman to help with the injured horse that left her daughter handicapped. A very moving film. Between the love story, the horse, and the poor little girl I was engaged completely. The ending seemed sad but I realized he was a good man. He said " I wanted to be here when you left" basically telling her to go home to her husband and kid. Tom knew who he was but she sure as hell didn't!, and the husband knew that too. This film had some of the best cinematography i have EVER seen in a motion picture. When they pan out at the end and you realize she is gone it is STUNNING. 9/10

Montana is spectacular. So is the emotional overkill of this weepy yuppie tearjerker. It might have been endurable if the editors had snipped thirty minutes from it, concentrating on all the close ups of teary eyes --- equine and human --- and the endless hugs and embraces. And of course we all knew, right from the start of the ten hour epic (well, it seemed that long) that they would all live happily ever after, including the stupid horse who should have been shot at the outset, sparing both him and the movie's audience the ordeal.

This is not a "horse opera" or a movie about horses. It's a movie about teenager problems, strong determination to solve them, guided by unconditional love, and desire to live far away of civilization, retreating to lick wounds. It felt like ameri-indians' drama at a certain moment. With the same love for nature, animals and harmony of living among them. Did Annie fall in love with Tom or with nature, serenity, calm (everything that Redford symbolized), far far away of her trepidant life? I guess we'll never know. I guess the horse was just a pretext, and what healed Grace was understanding the beauty of a certain way of living. In the end, the hypnotic nature was ripped apart in Annie's soul by Robert's appearance, symbolizing city lights' allure. It is simply a beautiful movie about nature and nature healing.

Robert Redford both stars in and directs "The Horse Whisperer," one of the most emotionally controlling films of 1998. Look up the definition of "chick flick," and you'll see the poster for "The Horse Whisperer". Instead of making a clever film, Robert Redford creates a very dull, boring, and slow-paced film at nearly three hours. There's just something lacking in this film. Unfortunately, this void was filled with slobering romance and dull performances. But, don't worry, women'll love it. 2/5 stars -- John Ulmer