by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
B Rated PG 94 min
Alison Loman stars as Katy McLaughlin, a young woman whose father Rob McLaughlin (Tim McGraw) owns a horse breeding ranch which Katy will some day inherit. The story addresses the present controversy surrounding wild Mustangs that are hated by ranchers. Some of whom have killed the mustangs and sold them to horse meat plants for European distribution. Of course, animal rights groups are trying to protect these wild horses which symbolize American freedom.
When Katy comes home from boarding school, she takes a bareback ride into the woods. There she comes across a black wild mustang. She tries to rope the horse, but he gets away. Her brothers and father rope the horse and take it back to a special pin. Katy’s father plans to sell the Mustang to a rodeo buyer for wild horse racing. He forbids Katy from any contact with the horse.
Ah yes, despite the predictable nature of this horsey story, its well done with quality production values and deft acting by a stellar cast. Tim McGraw shows that he has acting talent as Katy’s strict father, who demands blind obedience from his offspring. Katy is head strong and defies her father by forming a bond with the wild Mustang that she names Flicka.
Michael Mayer directed this remake of a 1943 movie, which was based on a book My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara. Mark Rosenthal adapted the screenplay, updated with the modern story about the fate of today’s wild mustangs. Mayer’s sweeping mosaic of the high plains and shots of real wild mustangs running free are breathtaking. Despite the loco reputation of Mustangs, the early native Americans learned how to train them and the horses made fast and maneuverable fighting steeds.
Although Loman is 27, she plays a much younger character. Katy, who is 18, and is not going to allow her father to intimidate her. She has her own ideas and is not afraid to act on them. Her mom, Nell, played skillfully by Maria Bello, acts as a buffer between her and her father. The thing is father and daughter have the same personality traits–stubborn and unyielding. Katy gradually trains Flicka to trust her, and considers the horse to be her own. However, her dad is determined to sell the horse, which he does, despite Katy’s tearful pleas to keep him.
To console herself, Katy hunkers down and writes an essay on the plight of the wild Mustangs for school. Then, she conceives a bold scheme to go to the rodeo and ride Flicka in the wild horse competition, disguised as a boy. It’s a crazy plan, that just might work. But the man who bought the horse knows her. It will take some detailed planning to pull this caper off.
Meanwhile, Katy’s brother decides to enroll in college and not be partners with his dad on the ranch. He hates ranching but he has not told his father, fearing his reaction. He has a girlfriend and they are in a serious relationship. He sees that Katy is the right sibling to take over the ranch. She’s smart, strong, an expert equestrian, and has the strength of character to be a leader.
The film stands on its own as a quality product, not just a scenario aimed at teenage girls, who go through a phase in which they want to ride horses–or own a horse. When that phase passes, the real trouble begins when boys enter the picture. This is a film the entire family can enjoy. It makes living in the wide open spaces of the great plains seem very appealing.
With his wife’s subtle manipulation, Katy’s dad softens up to her strong willed personality, finally realizing that she is a chip off the old block. Yes, Rob McLaughlin is old school and controlling, but his wife, Nell is able to work around his negative traits, making him see that his daughter is a worthy heir to his kingdom. The story encourages young women to be strong with diverse interests, which is a great model for today’s teenage girls to emulate.
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