Lean On Pete

Newly arrived in Oregon with his single, mischievous father (Travis Frimmel), a troubled youth named Charley (Charlie Plummer) finds meaning and belonging in a job caring for an ageing racehorse called Lean On Pete.

Whilst the horse’s gruff owner Des (Steve Buscemi) and jockey Bonnie (Chloë Sevigny) help fill a gap in his family life, trouble soon arrives in the form of a looming slaughterhouse appointment for the horse with which he has developed a close bond. Leading Charley off into the wilderness on a quest to save Lean On Pete’s life (a-la Robert Redford in The Electric Horseman) and to find family with a loving aunt from whom he has long been separated, adventure and hardship await.

Parents thinking of entertaining the little ones with this boy/horse story during the Christmas holidays should probably think again. Director Andrew Haigh’s fine cast deliver quality performances in this film, which is often both intense and sad.

★★★

Reviewed by Craig Coventry.