I have always been a huge fan of horse films. Growing up I always wanted to own a pony, which makes me gravitate toward films about people who share my dream of horse ownership. There hasn’t been a good horse movie in quite some time, until this past week with the release of the film Flicka.
Flicka is a movie essentially about horses, and one child’s desire to ride one of them. In the movie a girl named Katy comes home from boarding school, and immediately falls in the love with Flicka, who is of course the craziest horse on the farm.
Flicka is a mustang and is described as a “loco” horse. When Katy is ordered to stay away from Flicka, she of course does the exact opposite and starts to ride her. Like most movies along the same lines, Katy’s family ranch is in trouble and in order to keep it running they make the decision to sell Flicka. In order to keep the horse Katy has to win a wild horse race
To some extent this movie reminded me of the film “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken” one of my all-time favorite movies, specifically for Katy’s determination to ride Flicka, and win the contest, even though the odds are against her. The movie is inspirational, and encourages children as well as adults to follow their dreams where ever they may take them.
The movie is shot in New Zealand and is absolutely beautiful to look watch. The New Zealand countryside is amazing, and after watching the movie you are sure to want to schedule a trip, I know I did.
“Flicka” is rated PG and contains some peril as well as some mild language. I think the movie would be appropriate for children in fifth grade and up.