Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best films of the year!, February 13, 2007
Amazing that one of the most emotional and moving stories to grace the screen this past year went literally unnoticed. This film has themes of tradition, hope and despair embracing tones of freedom as well as true destiny. The actors are a patchwork quilt of talent that ranges from country star Tim McGraw to Maria Bello, and last but not least includes up and comer Alison Lohman. This amazing script pulls together better than any movie I've seen this year, and the core that it gets to when it comes to the West's history vs. the West's hurt is all wrapped up for a beautiful story that rides on the shoulders of a wild mustang.
Flicka centers on a Wyoming horse ranch that is run by the McLaughlin family. When the oldest daughter returns after a year of boarding school, her bright summer gets off to a rough start. As she braves the reaction of her parents when a letter about her performance in a certain class comes, she suddenly happens upon a wild mustang that she eventually builds an amazing connection with. What people on the outside cannot see, is that Katy (Alison Lohman) has more in common with this horse than she does with some of her own friends. The problem is, can she fulfill her ultimate destiny, or are her and the horse ultimately going to end up with the same future in which both are imprisoned?
Flicka is a great family film and it connects on levels of both the adolescent youth factor and the parent trying to make the right decision. As someone who grew up on a ranch myself, I can attest that the scenes of emotional struggle of what to do in order to preserve the future of the family farm are done very truthfully. As we follow Katy through her struggles, we learn to love her and the horse she now calls "Flicka". Flicka has been on the big screen before, in the 1943 adaptation of the book "My friend Flicka".
Country Music Singer Tim McGraw exceeded many people's expectations when he played an overbearing father in the film "Friday Night Lights". McGraw again does an excellent job here as a father (Rob McLaughlin) and husband who are trying to build for the future while not severing the past. Although the film centers on the various themes that surround Katy and Flicka's destiny, McGraw does a great job as Rob, and along with his wife Nell (Mario Bello) portrays a realistic ranching family that is melded together with hard work ethic and the importance of family.
Flicka is such a strong film because it also has excellent pacing. You never feel like there is a character you don't understand, a scene that was cut too short, or a theme that is over explored. It never feels rushed, nor does it drag and plod along. The majestic landscape is truly something to enjoy and for those of us who live in it, something to never take for granted. This film tells a great story, and does it without the use of foul language, Computer Graphics or the aid of a large budget. Now that I think of it though, it doesn't have to. Flicka is what more movies should be, something special that has that human touch to it. Watch Katy as she fights herself, the horse and ultimately her own blood before coming back around through some dangerous and scarring events to truly make it full circle.
Katy's writings of Mustangs and the West were great, and the special bond that a person can have with an animal is done with great care here. You may not like Flicka as much as I did, but you may like it enough for its meaningful messages and enjoyable pace to give it a try.
|
|
|
29 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet story; lovely scenery, November 2, 2006
Teenage Katie (Alison Lohman) grew up on her family's beautiful quarter horse ranch in Montana. She hasn't done well at boarding school and is in big trouble, especially after she brings home a wild mustang that she names "Flicka." Against her father (Tim McGraw)'s orders, she sneaks out at night and tries to tame the horse; when dad finds out, he sells the horse to a rodeo and Katie's heart is broken.
If you're a horse-crazy girl between the ages of 9 and 13, you will absolutely love this movie. Not only is the girl-horse bond strong, but so is the love between Katie and her father, mother, and brother. They are an ideal family and virtue overcomes all odds, as we know it must in a PG-rated movie. It's a simple and wholesome story with no offensive material, although if you're not a horse-loving adolescent, you may find it predictable and only mildly entertaining. Alison Lohman and Tim McGraw give sensitive performances as the headstrong daughter and doting dad, but Maria Bello is too young and glamorous to be convincing as the mother/wife. It's a good film for the target audience, and just in time for little girls to start begging for a horse for Christmas.
|
|
|
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved Flicka, February 10, 2007
To those bashing this movie.
I am a 23 year old horsewomen who happened to love this movie. Sure it was a little predictable, but it was beautifully made. I know there are people on here from a site called "MY DEAD FLICKA", yes 2 horses died...in a FREAK accident. Very few people realize how little it takes for a horse to spook and in an effort to flee, harm themselves severely. It is my understanding that one horse spooked and stepped on their own lead rope breaking their neck. Things like this happen when dealing with domesticated, but still WILD animals. I love horses and most animals and do not in any way condone abuse or neglect, but I think that if you are going to spend time protesting something, get over the movie and start looking into the situation at Premarin horse farms (where mares are repeatedly impregnated and abused in an effort to obtain pregnant mare urine to make a prescription drug) Premarin farms kill thousands, maybe even millions of horses every year and this movie only claimed 2. Do you also protest at rodeos where animals are riled, strapped and kicked to get them to buck for entertainment value? Please someone enlighten me because I think that there are way more important things to whine about than a movie ACCIDENT. In any case, if you love horses and you don't require profanity, nudity or adult situations to enjoy a movie, check this one out, its a cute take on an old classic.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
DVD ~ Toby Keith
DVD ~ Sean Bean
DVD ~ Roddy McDowall
DVD ~ Ben Stiller
DVD ~ Tobey Maguire
