Tonja Walker, who I first saw as Alex Olanov on “One Life to Live,” produced this PG-rated family-oriented film and also starred as the mother.
Patrick McCardle (Zac Ephron) has been playing baseball at his father’s behest, but hates it. He’s taken to skipping practice to go hang out with Houston Jones (Bill Cobbs) a former jockey and horse trainer, to talk about the animals and the sport of steeple chasing. When Patrick’s father (William R. Moses) asks him why he doesn’t come to practice, they have a bitter argument in which the father expresses his deep disappointment in the boy.
When Patrick decides that he wants to steeple chase, his parents are antagonistic because of Houston’s alcoholism. Begging for a chance, Patrick gets a two-month trial out of his parents, and the training begins. But as Derby Day grows closer, Houston passes away, leaving Patrick to wonder if he’s good enough on his own.
I wasn’t jumping up and down for joy at the end. The acting was tolerable, in most spots, although there were parts that were stiff and unrealistic. It also dragged on interminably – many segments that could have been trimmed to five minutes were instead dragged out to fifteen. I found myself watching the clock throughout the film. This aside, however, my main concerns were with the story.
Patrick’s father never listens to him, and when he tries to tell his parents what he’s thinking and feeling, they shut him down with accusations. But then, when he tells them that Houston really listens to him, they take offense, refusing to believe that he’s speaking the truth. Both his parents are much more tolerant with his little sisters than they are with him, and that disturbed me.
At one point in the movie, Houston is telling Patrick’s father about the special bond Patrick has with the horse, and he says that Patrick is magic. But his father responds with, “Are you talking about my son?” He doesn’t give Patrick any credit for having talent until he starts to think the boy could actually win, and then he perks up and takes interest.
Toward the end, when Houston dies, Patrick doesn’t want to ride in the Derby. Instead of giving him the space he needs to grieve, both parents are all over him, demanding that he finish what he started.
I hate to do it, but this one’s going in the “Don’t Waste Your Time” category. I’m here to recommend what’s good and steer you away from piffle. This was piffle.
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