The Horse Whisperer (Wide Screen) > Reviews > ..help horses with people problems..

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Great cast, beautiful scenery
Disadvantages:	Frustrating ending

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Release Information:

Studio: Touchstone Home Video
Video Release Date: July 19, 1999
Run Time: 162 minutes
Directed By: Robert Redford

Cast:

Robert Redford ...Tom Booker
Kristin Scott Thomas ...Annie MacLean
Sam Neill ...Robert MacLean
Dianne Wiest ...Diane Booker
Scarlett Johansson ...Grace MacLean
Chris Cooper ...Frank Booker
Cherry Jones ...Liz Hammond
Ty Hillman ...Joe Booker
Kate Bosworth ...Judith
Austin Schwarz ...Twin #1
Dustin Schwarz ...Twin #2
Jeanette Nolan ...Ellen Booker
Steve Frye ...Hank
Don Edwards ...Smokey
Jessalyn Gilsig ...Lucy, Annie's Assistant

Plot:

Directed and starring Robert Redford (The Way We Were, Up Close and Personal), The Horse Whisperer was his 5th film as a director and the 1st in which he both directed and starred.

His character, a Montana rancher/horse whisperer with a gift for healing "horses with people problems", Tom Booker is a lovable, a real soft hearted man. Redford plays his part so well and to be honest I would run away to a ranch to live with him!

The film opens setting the MacLean family characters. Annie (Kristin Scott Thomas – English Patient, Gosford Park), the career mother who seems to spend more time dedicated to her job as an editor of Cover magazine than her family; Grace (Scarlett Johansson – Lost In Translation, Girl With Pearl Earring), the 14 year old daughter who’s love for horses is one of the main storylines of this film; Robert (Sam Neill – Jurassic Park, The Piano), the long suffering husband.

Sadly Grace has a severe riding accident losing not only her best friend but also her leg (below the knee). Determined not to lose the horse (Pilgrim) as well, Annie drives her daughter and Pilgrim to the Booker farmstead having studied and searched for a horse whisperer to ‘cure’ Pilgrims physical and emotional problems.
The story unfolds and both horse and daughter begin a long recovery process and both start a new relationship with Annie who’s career focus turns to the caring Tom Booker. There is a lot to take in during this film, emotionally and scenically. The only frustration is the affair detailed in Nicholas Evans' novel on which the film is based, which is treated as more of a lustful, unspoken and frustrating relationship between Annie and Tom. Although the affair may have made the film a little controversial and possibly too long I would have preferred it was more indepth.

Best Lines:

Annie: I've heard you help people with horse problems.
Tom Booker: Truth is, I help horses with people problems.

&

Tom Booker: Sometimes what seems like surrender isn't surrender at all. It's about what's going on in our hearts. About seeing clearly the way life is and accepting it and being true to it, whatever the pain, because the pain of not being true to it is far, far greater.

I will admit that I cried quite a bit, I always get really into films of this genre and I would recommend watching for a good cry!

Overall, I give The Horse Whisperer a big thumbs up – go get yourself a box of tissues and a copy of Horse and Hound!