Lean on Pete

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Certain films you walk away from and they consume you for a while, because they're so disturbing. That's what you can expect from Lean on Pete. The one star was simply for the actors, as they did a wonderful job! The screenwriter and director should be ashamed.

"Lean On Pete" (2017 release from the UK; 121 min.) brings the story of Charley. As the movie opens, 16 yr. old Charley, who lives with his dad in Portland, Oregon, is doing his morning jog, passing Portland Downs. Although Charley doesn't have any prior experience, he is drawn to the wold of horses. By happenstance, Charley gets an opportunity to assist Del, a veteran in the horse racing business. One of the horses Del has is called Lean On Pete. Then one evening, Charley's dad is wounded critically in a fight (we're not sure what the fight is actually about), At this point we are 10 min. into the movie but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out, Couple of comments: this is the latest movie from British writer-director Andrew Haigh, whose previous film was the equally excellent "45 Years". Here, he brings the novel of the same name by Willy Vlautin to the big screen. I have not read the book, so I cannot comment to what extent (if any) the movie diverges plot-wise from the original book. As for the movie itself, I need to be quite careful as this is a plot-heavy movie. All I will say is that if you think the movie is mostly about the bond that grows between Charley and the horse, you are quite wrong. Rapidly up-and-coming Charlie Plummer (he played the kidnapped Getty in the recent "All The Money In the World") carries the movie on his young shoulders (he is in virtually every frame of the movie). Steve Buscemi is solid as Del, and Chloe Sevigny has a small role as Del's unsentimental jockey Bonnie.("they're not pets, Charley, they're just race horses"). The movie's wide open photography is eye-candy from start to finish. But in the end, this is all about Charley's story, and simple at that level, "Lean On Pete" is bound to break your heart, as you ache for Charley in his quest for a better future. "Lean On Pete" premiered at last Fall's Venice Film Festival to immediate critical acclaim (with Plummer winning "Best Young Actor"), and it recently opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati. The Sunday early evening screening where I saw this at was not attended well (5 people, including myself), although I'm guessing the 75 degree weather had something to do with that. Or it may be that hopefully this movie will find a wider audience on other platforms beyond the movie theater. Regardless, if you are in the mood for an excellent character study of a young man in search of a better life, I'd readily recommend you seek this out, be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

If you think Andrew Haigh's Lean on Pete, adapted from the novel by writer-musician Willy Vlautin, is a boiler plate boy and his horse idyll, then go see National Velvet. Here is the story of an underclass teen, 15 year old Charley (Charlie Plummer), who happens on a summer job tending stables and horses that gives him purpose and edges him into adulthood with love and tragedy. Set in the Pacific Northwest's Portland, the unsentimental dramatic adventure has encounters with his single father, Ray, and girlfriends like a married secretary who brings Ray enormous trouble. Charley experiences loving that can be violent and survival that is uncertain. Better is his experience with horses and a sleazy owner, Del (Steve Buscemi), who shows him how to tend the horses and eat in a civilized fashion, as well as the underbelly of horse racing in the boonies. Del, a complex character of the rough and soft, leads Charley to his first big love, aging quarter horse Lean on Pete, on whom Charlie will lean for emotional support as long as fate allows. Absconding with Pete to keep him from the slaughterhouse leads Charley to parlous times and tragedy but toward salvation. The first half is chockfull of small experiences with the underclass, each member of whom is struggling to survive but not without a few raucous interludes. Basically, however, life in trailers and moveable horse races frequently leads to grim futures. As with any teen, breaking with parents and guardians is crucial to maturation, and Charley is no different. When he and Pete take off to find long lost Aunt Margy (Alison Elliot), the broad vista of the West, dramatically photographed by Magnus Jonck, beckons the wanderers and portends dramatic challenges, not the least of which are the desert and unscrupulous adults. Yet, listening to Charley confide about his life to Pete as they amble to the future is one of the film's understated delights. Like the film itself, we can exult in Charley's independence while fearing for his physical and mental safety. As a youthful representative of a vulnerable class, Charley brings hope from his travels. Like a Steinbeck wanderer, he trudges to a problematic future as he builds on his brief but illuminating early-life experiences. Just listen to the Bonnie Prince Billy cover of R. Kelly's "The World's Greatest" over the credits to catch his melancholy present and future, no longer leaning on Pete for survival.

source: Lean on Pete

Lean on Pete was an unexpected stroke of brilliance. The direction is spot on, characters and acting are sublime and there is a strong degree of engaging realism running through the film. It is upsetting, in a sobering and ruminating. Definitely need to be in the mood to digest a lot about a young man in a massively difficult position that most of us cannot imagine as it delves into him dealing with depressing realities while in search for a positive figure in his life. I thought it was magnificent cinema, rich with technique and character development without ever accidentally becoming over the top or peachy pie American at any point. Has left an indelible mark on me as a person and cinema lover.

A film of quiet intensity. Charlie Plummer stands out as the wayward and sensitive young hero, and Buscemi is on good form. At times the improbabilities mount and sentimentality creeps in. But from the school of Kes this is a powerful and poignant film.

This is a film all about isolation and companionship. It is relatively slow in terms of plot pace but I thought it was quite contemplative, a good character based film and so I wasn't entirely bothered by the slowish plot pace. You could almost argue that its like a form of mindfulness in a film, with Charley being fairly quiet and thoughtful. We learn a fair bit about other people who work on the farmland and with the horses. The sense of wilderness is quite sobering. Also the lack of dialogue at times made it seem quite poignant to me. Overall its an interesting, observation/character based drama which I enjoyed quite a lot. Would I recommend it? Yes, I'd happily recommend this film, as long as you know its not fast paced or action packed. For what it is, its a very good film.

I watched because I'm a huge Travis Fimmel fan...I now became a huge Charlie Plummer fan. His performance as Charlie touched my heart. He delivered a powerful performance as a young man forced to survive more than his share of life's tough blows. His relationship with his father (Fimmel) is loving, but dysfunctional; he cares, but is neglectful. It's a moving story of a young man struggling to be a normal teenager, despite his circumstances. Great story, great acting and great directing. You will feel this story deep in your soul.

Lean on Pete is about a young orphaned boy trying to travel across America with a horse he took a liking too, when working with him. This film is written and directed by Andrew Haigh (45 Years). It stars Charlie Plummer (All the Money in the World), Amy Seimetz (Upstream Color) and Travis Fimmel (Warcraft: The Beginning). Haigh has created characters that feel as real as my family and friends, he also directs with a realistic eye, including some mesmerizing shots of the sky. Plummer's performance as the lead Charley is heartbreaking and constantly amazed me with the emotions he could exude with looks and actions. The story and writing are realistic and all around FANTASTIC! This film surprised me with just how brilliant it is. 10/10